Oh Se-hoon Questions Necessity of Party Leader; Jang Dong-hyuk Says "Party Members Will Decide My Future"

[Anchor]

Within the People Power Party, pressure is mounting regarding the future of Representative Jang Dong-hyuk. Following Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon’s support for calls for his resignation, Floor Leader Jeong Jeom-sik has also begun a series of meetings with senior lawmakers. However, Representative Jang, who was discharged from the hospital today (June 24), dismissed the demands for his resignation, stating that his future is a matter for the party members to decide.

Reported by Kim Bo-mi.

[Reporter]

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon gave a lecture on "Restoring Conservative Values" this morning at the National Assembly's Future Innovation Forum, which is led by People Power Party lawmakers.

The event was attended by 28 lawmakers—more than a quarter of the party—including Floor Leader Jeong Jeom-sik, as well as members from the former pro-Yoon faction, the reformist group, and the pro-Han Dong-hoon faction.

Mayor Oh, who had been at odds with Representative Jang Dong-hyuk throughout the local elections, raised the idea of "abolishing the party leader position," arguing that the floor leader should be at the center of the party, as is the case in the United States.

[Oh Se-hoon/Mayor of Seoul: Is a party leader really necessary? We must shift to a floor-centered party. That is how unnecessary conflict can be minimized....]

Regarding the issue of Representative Jang's future, Oh expressed agreement with Floor Leader Jeong's recent media interview, in which Jeong stated that "rushing things too much could lead to greater difficulties," and added that "this is the time for senior lawmakers to play their role."

Floor Leader Jeong, who has been meeting with senior lawmakers daily, including a luncheon with four-term lawmakers today, also stated, "The controversy over Representative Jang's resignation must be put to rest before February of next year for the party to quickly regain stability."

Representative Jang Dong-hyuk held a press conference today upon his discharge from the hospital after six days. He refused to step down, stating that now is the time to focus on demanding a special counsel and a re-election regarding the ballot paper shortage crisis.

[Jang Dong-hyuk/Representative of the People Power Party: The future of the party leader is a matter for the party members to decide. It is certainly not a matter for a few lawmakers to decide.]

Representative Jang characterized the demands for his resignation as an attempt to "shake the party" and warned that he would establish party discipline, fueling speculation that he might respond with measures such as party audits.

(Video reporting: Lee Seung-hwan, Shin Dong-hwan | Video editing: Park Sun-soo)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.