Jung Chung-rae on the 24th, Jang Dong-hyuk in February Next Year... Outlook for Resignation to Seek Reelection

[Financial News] Jung Chung-rae of the Democratic Party of Korea and Jang Dong-hyuk of the People Power Party are both facing calls to step down within their parties. As a result, observers say the two leaders may choose the timing of their resignations with reelection in mind.
According to political sources on the 19th, many expect Jung to step down on the 24th. His plan to seek reelection at the Aug. 17 party convention has been widely known, fueling speculation that he will resign in line with past precedents for party leaders seeking another term.
When Lee Jae-myung sought reelection as Democratic Party leader in 2024, he resigned on June 24, two days before the formation of the Party Convention Preparatory Committee. Since the committee is scheduled to be formed on the 26th this time, many expect Jung to follow that precedent and step down on the 24th.
If so, Jung is expected to announce both his intention to run again and his resignation before the party's Supreme Council discusses the formation of the preparatory committee at its meeting on the 24th. After stepping down, he would compete with figures such as Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and lawmaker Song Young-gil, who are seen as potential rivals in the race for party leadership.
Jang still has time left in his term until August next year. Unless he resigns voluntarily, the party cannot hold a convention. That is why he has been able to resist despite strong calls for his resignation from reform-minded members and even a majority request for him to step down at a parliamentary caucus meeting.
Jang has been fending off resignation demands by citing his response to the shortage of ballots in the June 3 local elections. He has visited the National Election Commission and protest sites in person, and he also filed an election petition asking the NEC to invalidate results in seven districts. Partly because of this, the People Power Party's approval rating recently surpassed the Democratic Party of Korea for the first time since the Lee Jae-myung administration took office. He is currently hospitalized and has delayed making a statement on the caucus's resignation demand.
Many believe it will be difficult for Jang to keep holding out in this way. As a result, speculation is growing that he may push for a partywide vote of confidence. He had proposed such a move earlier this year to counter calls for his resignation from within the party. At the time, the non-faction members backed down, and no vote of confidence was held.
Whether through a vote of confidence or another method, if Jang keeps his post as party leader, there is a forecast that he will step down after February next year. The reason is to secure control of the party, which would give him the power to shape candidate nominations for the 2028 general election. Under the party constitution and rules, if a party leader with more than six months left in the term becomes vacant, the next leader serves only the remaining term. After February next year, the remaining term would be shorter than six months, meaning that if Jang steps down then, he could run for a party leadership position that guarantees a full two-year term.
uknow@fnnews.com Kim Yun-ho Reporter