Jang Dong-hyeok says candidates guilty of party disloyalty will be replaced immediately, moves to tighten discipline

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[Financial News] Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party, said on the 23rd that if anyone guilty of party disloyalty is a candidate in the June 3 local elections, he would replace them immediately. As questions mount from candidates over whether his leadership will help the party win the local elections, he has moved to tighten discipline by even invoking the ultimate measure of replacing candidates.
At a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly that day, Jang said, "It is time to fight the Democratic Party candidates in earnest," adding, "An army that has lost discipline can never win a battle."
He then raised his voice, saying, "We will take strong action against any acts of disloyalty from now on," and, "Such acts could be fatal to the election."
Voices opposing Jang have already poured in, especially from candidates for metropolitan and provincial governor posts in the local elections.
\r\nWhen Oh Se-hoon was confirmed as the People Power Party's candidate for Seoul mayor on the 18th, he appeared wearing a light green tie and said, "I will devote all my energy to conservative reform and political normalization at a level comparable to refounding the party," sending what was effectively a criticism of the current leadership.
\r\nHe also said, "Once the nominations are finished, the era of the leadership will end and the time of the candidates will begin," adding, "If the election is run around the campaign committee, could that not reduce public concern and create a new atmosphere?"
Park Heong-joon, the mayor of Busan, has also expressed his intention to form an independent campaign committee and differentiate himself from Jang. Political circles are also raising the possibility that he could narrow the distance with former leader Han Dong-hoon, who is running in the Busan Buk-gu-gap constituency.
The sharpest criticism came from Kim Jin-tae, the candidate for governor of Gangwon State, who confronted Jang directly. When Jang visited Yangyang County in Gangwon State on the 22nd, Kim told him face to face, "After going around the field, many people said, 'It used to be the red party, but when I think of the central party, I get so angry that I won't vote,'" adding, "We need to resolve the problem at its source." This is why analysts say Jang's remarks were a warning to candidates for metropolitan and provincial governor posts.
It can also be interpreted as a warning to the pro-Han faction moving to Busan Buk-gu to support Han Dong-hoon, who lost his party membership through expulsion. In connection with reports that lawmaker Jin Jong-oh had expressed support for Han, Jang also ordered an investigation immediately after returning from his trip to the United States.
The leadership later said the remarks were not meant as a warning aimed at Kim. Choi Bo-yoon, the chief spokesperson, told reporters after the Supreme Council meeting, "There is absolutely no basis for linking Kim's remarks to the issue of party disloyalty," adding, "We are focusing on the parts where the candidate can win."
Meanwhile, Jang also instructed the party to form regional campaign committees. "In regions where candidates for metropolitan and provincial governor posts have been decided, the city and provincial chapters and the candidates will consult to form campaign committees," he said. "This is a measure that has always been taken every time there is a local election." The move appears aimed at stressing that forming an "independent campaign committee" or an "innovation campaign committee" in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province does not mean breaking with Jang.
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haeram@fnnews.com Lee Hae-ram Reporter