"Replacing Party District Chiefs Who Don't Fight"... Chang Dong-hyeok Moves to Solidify Control

[Anchor]

People Power Party leader Chang Dong-hyeok has signaled plans to replace certain local party chapter chiefs who lack strong capabilities in fighting against the ruling bloc, sparking backlash within the party over suspicions that the move targets his opposition. Party members are also deeply divided, clashing over demands for Chang's resignation versus showing support for him.

Reporter Park Chan-beom has the details.

[Reporter]

People Power Party leader Chang Dong-hyeok, whose first year in office reaches its one-year mark at the end of this month, hinted today (August 12) at a reshuffle of local party chapter chiefs.

[Chang Dong-hyeok / People Power Party Leader (Maeil Shinmun YouTube "Lee Dong-jae's News Cabinet"): Those who have not fought hard and properly (against the Democratic Party) in the past, if such local chapter chiefs run in the general election again, we will inevitably lose.]

This means that chapter chiefs who show lackluster performance in the political struggle against the ruling side will be replaced.

Associates of Leader Chang told SBS that "personnel reform is reform itself" and that the process will be completed by the end of the year.

Local party chapter chiefs head the party organization committees, with one for each parliamentary constituency, and oversee local regional organizations.

Incumbent lawmakers customarily serve as chapter chiefs, though many non-lawholders also hold these positions.

Terms for the People Power Party chapter chiefs expire at the end of August in even-numbered years, suggesting that some may be replaced through methods such as party member voting rather than being retained in their posts.

Analyses suggest that Leader Chang's reshuffle policy targets both incumbent and non-incumbent chapter chiefs belonging to opposing factions, such as those close to Han Dong-hoon.

It is also interpreted as a strategic move to block public sentiment favoring the reinstatement of independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon.

[Song Seok-jun / People Power Party Lawmaker (Yesterday, National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee): Many people likely hope that you will not remain an independent, respected former Chairman Han Dong-hoon.]

Amid this situation, People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo raised his voice against the pro-Han faction within the party, stating that "activist-turned figures seeking reinstatement must be eradicated,"

[Ahn Cheol-soo / People Power Party Lawmaker: People who serve a specific individual outside the party and divide the party must be excluded from qualification for support in the next general election.]

Meanwhile, pro-Han faction lawmaker Han Ji-a fired back, urging the leadership to "aim for integration rather than exclusion."

Some responsible members of the People Power Party are engaging in a battle of signature-collecting campaigns.

After party members opposing Leader Chang announced that 27,000 party members and citizens joined a petition demanding his resignation, the fan cafe supporting Leader Chang countered by announcing plans to issue a statement of support joined by 30,000 people.

With one year remaining until his term ends, Leader Chang has refused to step down early, stating that "a vote of confidence or an early party convention is not being considered at all."

(Photo: Yonhap News / Video Reporting: Lee Seung-hwan, Shin Dong-hwan | Video Editing: Lee Seung-jin | Design: Taeyoung)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.