The internal tension within the People's Power Party: the conflict between Jang Dong-heok and Yoon Seok-youl's allies

South Korea’s main opposition political force is experiencing an unprecedented leadership crisis. By the end of February, a significant group of party leaders escalated their pressure against the current leadership, revealing deep divisions that weaken the organization at a critical moment for its electoral future.

Mass resignation demand: 25 leaders rebel

The conflict reached a breaking point when 25 current and former leaders of the local structures of the People Power Party issued a joint statement demanding the immediate resignation of Jang Dong-heok. This coordinated move is not just an internal complaint but a clear warning about the viability of the current leadership. According to jinshi reports, these leaders warned that the party risks alienating public opinion if it continues under Jang Dong-heok’s direction.

The Gordian knot: stance on Yoon Seok-youl

The root of the conflict lies in Jang Dong-heok’s refusal to clearly distance himself from former President Yoon Seok-youl. In a context where Yoon faces judicial proceedings, this stance has become a political burden for the party. The dissenters argue that maintaining loyalty to Yoon Seok-youl is counterproductive for upcoming local elections. The 25 leaders’ statement was especially critical of how Jang Dong-heok has handled responses to the verdicts in Yoon Seok-youl’s trial.

Implications for the upcoming elections

This internal struggle directly threatens the electoral goals of the People Power Party in local elections. The inability to resolve the tension between loyalty to Yoon Seok-youl and the need to adapt to new political realities weakens the party’s mobilization capacity. The leadership crisis exposes how Yoon Seok-youl’s shadow continues to be a decisive factor in the internal dynamics of South Korea’s main opposition force.