Jeong Jeom-sik elected new People Power Party floor leader amid 'return to pro-Yoon' criticism: "Only public sentiment matters"

[Financial News] Jeong Jeom-sik, a three-term lawmaker from the Tongyeong–Goseong constituency who is seen as part of the pro-Yoon Suk Yeol and party leadership camp, has become the new floor leader of the People Power Party. As he was elected immediately after the June 3 local elections, he now faces the task of healing the scars of defeat and mending party divisions. The party is expected to discuss issues such as the future of party leader Jang Dong-hyeok and the reinstatement of independent candidate Han Dong-hoon, but some warn that the move could be seen as a return to a pro-Yoon party.
The People Power Party held a caucus on the 10th and selected Jeong as the successor to former floor leader Song Eon-seok. In the runoff against Kim Do-eup, Jeong won the support of 55 of the 103 lawmakers present. The other 48 backed Kim. The first round had been a three-way race among Kim, Jeong and Sung Il-jong, but no candidate won a majority, forcing a final vote.
In his victory speech, Jeong put "unity" at the top of his priorities. He argued that restoring public trust must come before any fight against the ruling bloc, and that the party must first speak with one voice. "I believe the one vote cast for me was not support for me as an individual, but a stern order to rebuild the People Power Party and restore the public's broken trust," he said. "There can be no factions, no division and no confrontation. There is only one People Power Party, and it exists to serve public sentiment."
Jeong, a former prosecutor, entered the National Assembly in a 2019 by-election and has since won three consecutive terms in Tongyeong–Goseong. Until recently, he served as Policy Committee Chairperson under Jang Dong-hyeok's leadership. He has also served as a member of the party's Emergency Response Committee, Policy Committee Chairperson and Secretary-General. He was Policy Committee Chairperson under Hwang Woo-yea's Emergency Response Committee in 2024, but stepped down after coming under pressure to resign when Han Dong-hoon took over as party leader.
Jeong is classified as part of the party leadership camp because he held a party post under Jang's leadership, but he is also known to have repeatedly voiced opposition to Jang's hard-line stance. He has also stressed that he led the drafting of the so-called "resolution to cut ties with Yoon." Some lawmakers are hoping for a more reasonable and stable style of leadership. One senior lawmaker told Financial News, "Since 48 lawmakers supported Kim Do-eup, he will have no choice but to reflect the lawmakers' desire for reform."
Still, concerns were raised inside and outside the party that Jeong's election could turn the People Power Party back into a pro-Yoon camp. Kim Do-eup, one of his rivals, said, "People will only believe change has begun when the person changes," adding, "If the floor leader election result leads to the label of a 'return to a pro-Yoon party,' what future would the party have?" Some lawmakers also questioned whether Jeong would actively push for party reform. Another first-term lawmaker said, "I wonder whether Jeong will actively demand that Jang Dong-hyeok clarify his future," and added, "He said he would gather the consensus of lawmakers, so I hope he goes through the communication process carefully."
Jeong said he would make "no factions" his guiding principle and focus on uniting the party. He also said he would take the criticism that he is a "return to pro-Yoon" figure to heart and work to dispel it. However, he is taking a cautious approach to whether Jang Dong-hyeok should clarify his future or whether Han Dong-hoon should be readmitted to the party. He plans to go through a careful process of gathering opinions so that lawmakers can exercise their collective wisdom.
Meanwhile, Jeong will serve until June next year. With the National Assembly now in its second half, negotiations with the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) over the composition of standing committees are an immediate challenge. The DPK has said it may monopolize committee chairmanships, including the Legislation and Judiciary Committee chair, but Jeong has stressed that he will take that post back. He also plans to lead the formation of a National Assembly special committee for a parliamentary investigation into the shortage of ballots, while blocking special counsel probes pushed by the broader ruling bloc over alleged fabricated indictments. On legislation and policy, he said he would work to advance revisions to the Yellow Envelope Act and prepare measures to support corporate growth and stabilize livelihoods, in order to prove the party's presence as an alternative force.
haeram@fnnews.com Lee Hae-ram Reporter