Jang Dong-hyuk: "Let party committee chairs be elected directly"... Non-establishment camp: "Are you trying to imitate Jung Cheong-rae?"

[Financial News] Marking his first year in office, Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, proposed a reform package that includes direct elections by party members for party committee chairs. Many lawmakers in the non-establishment camp pushed back, saying he was "trying to copy Jung Cheong-rae," the former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.
At a "first anniversary press conference" held on the 26th at the party's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Jang said, "We will further expand party member sovereignty by allowing members to directly participate in the selection of city and provincial party chairs and party committee chairs."
Jang also unveiled the "People Power Party 2.0 Four Major Innovation Projects" to strengthen party member sovereignty. They include expanding party member sovereignty through direct elections for party committee chairs and other measures (Party Member Sovereignty 2.0); building a policy management system for livelihood issues, including the creation of the "People's Livelihood Vitality PLA Committee" for on-site inspections, legislation, and follow-up management (Livelihood-Oriented Party 2.0); expanding communication with the public through permanent, field-centered committees (Communication-Oriented Party 2.0); and broadening conservative values by revising the party platform and policies (Value-Oriented Party 2.0).
The move has been interpreted as an effort by Jang to tighten his grip on party leadership. With support from hardline party members helping him withstand pressure from the non-establishment camp to step down after the local elections, he appears to be seeking to rally his base even further through direct elections for party committee chairs.
For sitting lawmakers, the prospect of losing control of local party organizations has fueled strong backlash, especially among the non-establishment camp. Some also mocked the proposal by comparing it to Jung Cheong-rae's introduction of a one-member, one-vote system for rights-holding party members and delegates.
Jo Eun-hee, a lawmaker in the non-establishment camp, said, "You cannot cover up a collapsed leadership with a slogan that falls short of the mark and merely imitates Jung Cheong-rae's 'omnipotence of party members.'" She added, "The first step should be to build a new leadership that can restore public trust."
Lee Seong-gwon criticized Jang, saying, "Leader Jang emphasized responsibility over authority. If that is the case, then taking responsibility for the failures of the past year and stepping down is the only way to respond to public sentiment and the starting point for reform."
Even Kim Gi-hyeon, a former pro-Yoon figure who is relatively close to the party leadership, suggested that "the party should open the way toward a model of broad unity based on diversity and inclusiveness."
Jang's reform plan will come under scrutiny at the People Power Party lawmakers' workshop on the 27th and 28th. Calls for his resignation, which had eased, are expected to resurface over the reform plan and the disciplinary action against the non-establishment camp.
[email protected] Lee Hae-ram Reporter