Jang Dong-hyuk to Reshuffle Party Posts After Discharge... Expulsion of Han in January

[Financial News] Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is expected to return to party duties as early as the 22nd after being hospitalized for exhaustion caused by the aftereffects of a hunger strike and overwork related to the June 3 local elections and a ballot shortage incident. He is then likely to move to strengthen his grip on the party through a reshuffle of key party posts.
According to the People Power Party on the 22nd, Jang was hospitalized on the 18th after accumulating fatigue from overwork. He is expected to resume party duties as early as today, four days after being admitted to the hospital.
Attention is focused on Jang's next move after his return, as he faces calls to step down within the party amid criticism that he should take responsibility for the defeat in the June 3 local elections. He is reportedly considering appointing a new Policy Committee Chairperson, a post that is currently vacant, as well as replacing the Secretary-General and deputy secretaries-general.
Park Sung-hoon, the People Power Party's chief spokesperson, told reporters after the party's Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly on the day that he understood Jang was listening to a range of opinions on the direction and scope of the party post reshuffle. He added that Jang would make a careful decision based on the two values of party stability and reform.
Jang also stopped his hunger strike and was hospitalized in January, then returned to party duties four days later after being discharged. At the time, he was facing a leadership crisis over his refusal to apologize for the martial law declaration, but he quickly moved to expel former leader Han Dong-hoon, now an independent lawmaker, and asserted his presence within the party. This time as well, many expect him to move quickly to reshuffle party posts and try to regain control of the party leadership.
haeram@fnnews.com Lee Hae-ram Reporter