Is Jang Dong-hyuk Targeting Conservative Leadership with 'Unification Church Special Prosecutor Hunger Strike'?

[Financial News] The People Power Party and the Reform Party (RP) are jointly pushing for the Act on the Appointment of Independent Prosecutor to investigate the Unification Church's alleged political connections. As Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, called for the bill to be handled at the National Assembly plenary session on the 30th and mentioned the possibility of 'extraordinary measures,' there is speculation that he may launch a hunger strike. Should he proceed, this move could serve as a catalyst for a conservative opposition alliance ahead of the local elections.
At a press briefing at the National Assembly on the 28th, Jang stated, "If we fail to reach an agreement by December 30, we will have no choice but to consider various measures to prevent the Unification Church special prosecutor from being delayed again. We must ensure its passage, even if it means taking extraordinary measures or mobilizing all available options."
Since the People Power Party and the Reform Party (RP) jointly proposed the Unification Church special prosecutor, both Jang Dong-hyuk and Lee Jun-seok, leader of RP, have considered a hunger strike. Jang's reference to extraordinary measures is therefore interpreted as a hint at such an action.
Jang believes that if time simply passes through negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties until the last day of the December extraordinary session on January 8, the Unification Church special prosecutor will lose momentum. He also pointed out that the parliamentary investigation into alleged external pressure to drop the prosecution's appeal in the Daejang-dong Corruption Scandal remains deadlocked. This is why he warned of extraordinary measures, indirectly suggesting a hunger strike.
If the special prosecutor bill fails to pass at the plenary session on the 30th and Jang launches a hunger strike, it is expected to become a rallying point for the conservative opposition, including RP. This could help overcome the current fragmentation caused by differences over Yoon Suk Yeol's stance on the martial law situation, providing a new justification for confronting the ruling party.
For this reason, Jang has distanced himself from talk of expanding alliances or forming election coalitions, instead emphasizing self-reliance. Since initiating an intense protest such as a hunger strike could position him at the center of the conservative opposition and give him the initiative, there is no need to discuss alliances prematurely.
Jang remarked, "Various alliances are possible for victory in the local elections, but I am not limiting this to RP. Now is the time for us to change, innovate, and strengthen ourselves. Expansion should be based on unity, not just formal outreach."
uknow@fnnews.com Kim Yun-ho Reporter