Party Members to Directly Elect Local Party Committee Chairs... Jang Dong-hyuk's Reform Plan

[Financial News] Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, has signaled that he will push ahead with a plan to have party members directly elect local party committee chairs. While showing his determination to press forward despite opposition from party lawmakers, he also appears likely to slow the pace. On the so-called "senior lawmakers sacrifice theory," which says the party can win the general election only if senior lawmakers do not run, he softened his stance by saying, "Uniting and fighting together comes first," but added, "If necessary, it is an issue that must be debated intensely."
At a press conference marking his first year in office at the party's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 26th, Jang said of the direct election system for local party committee chairs, "It is only natural that those who have won the trust of party members, in accordance with the party constitution and rules, continue in that role," adding, "My firm conviction that this is necessary has not changed."
It is known that there is strong opposition within the party to the reappointment of 254 local party committee chairs nationwide. Party lawmakers also reached a consensus at a general meeting to oppose the move, and the leadership, including Jang, had planned to make a decision on the 24th but postponed it.
Regarding this, Jang said, "I do not think there are many lawmakers who oppose the direction of asking ordinary members and full members whether local party committee chairs should serve another term. The opposition is not to the direction itself, but to whether it is appropriate to raise the issue of replacing local party committee chairs at a time when we should be fighting fiercely against the ruling party and the Lee Jae Myung administration," adding, "It is necessary to listen to many views, take them into account, and find a reasonable standard for timing, pace and method."
On the so-called "senior lawmakers sacrifice theory," he said it was "one of the things we need to consider for a general election victory," but stressed that "among the many conditions for winning the general election, the most important thing is to reorganize the party, discover new talent, and show that we are properly united in fighting the government and the ruling party." He added, "If necessary, it is an issue that should be considered seriously and debated intensely."
He also plans to keep the door open to a conservative alliance. Jang said, "I will not reject any alliance with conservative forces that agree with the newly established values of conservatism and that have stood together throughout the process of the founding and development of the Republic of Korea, agreeing with the role of conservative parties and their values and responsibilities," adding, "I will do everything I can to build such an alliance." However, he did not mention any specific party or individual.
[email protected] Lee Hae-ram Reporter