[Anchor]
Clashes erupted within the People Power Party leadership during a closed-door meeting over voting errors in an internal party election. Shouting and harsh language were exchanged between a Supreme Council member and the party leader.
Kim Bo-mi reports.
[Reporter]
In the primary for the local chapter head of Yongin A, Gyeonggi Province—held under the direct election system for local chapter heads pushed by People Power Party Leader Jang Dong-hyeok—Supreme Council Member Yang Hyang-ja lost to candidate Yoon Jae-bok, who comes from a support group for Leader Jang.
However, it belatedly came to light that an error had occurred involving the automated response system (ARS) used for voting.
A revote had been scheduled for October 18 for the runoff of the race, but during today's (October 15) party Supreme Council meeting, Supreme Council Member Yang made the following argument.
[Yang Hyang-ja / People Power Party Supreme Council Member: "If we apply the Olympic Park principle to this situation, it is right to redo all the primaries from the very beginning. In other words, a comprehensive investigation into the entire election and complete reruns (are needed)."]
She called for reruns of primaries in other regions as well, sparking a verbal clash with Secretary General Jeong Hee-yong, an ally of Leader Jang.
[Yang Hyang-ja / People Power Party Supreme Council Member: "If the Democratic Party now says the People Power Party has no right to join the Olympic Park protest, what are we supposed to say to that?"]
[Jeong Hee-yong / People Power Party Secretary General: "Making remarks that undermine the party's system like this—is that what a Supreme Council member should do?"]
Although the meeting went behind closed doors, shouting and profanity could be heard outside the conference room.
Leader Jang reportedly shouted that it was merely a technical issue with the telecommunications company, saying, "Are you happy undermining the party leader who is fighting against election fraud, stripping me of the credibility to fight, and shaking the leadership?" and adding, "You ought to know when to stop."
On the other hand, the non-mainstream faction held Leader Jang accountable.
[Woo Jae-joon / People Power Party Supreme Council Member: "There are many similarities to the National Election Commission incident. I don't think this is something to get angry about. Rather, by properly conducting an investigation..."]
With this clash, tensions between the pro-leadership faction that pushed for the direct election of local chapter heads and the opposing non-mainstream faction appear to be flaring up once again.
(Video by Lee Seung-hwan and Shin Dong-hwan | Video Editing by Lee Seung-hee | Design by Choi Jae-young)
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