"Lawmakers Who Don't Fight Will Be Replaced": People Power Party Leader Chang Dong-hyeok Moves to Solidify Control

[Anchor]

People Power Party Leader Chang Dong-hyeok has hinted at replacing local party chapter heads who show weak capabilities in fighting against the ruling bloc, sparking backlash within the party over suspicions that the move targets his opponents. Party members are also sharply divided, with factions clashing over demands for his resignation versus expressions of support.

Reporter Park Chan-beom has the story.

[Reporter]

People Power Party Leader Chang Dong-hyeok, whose one-year anniversary since taking office arrives at the end of this month, hinted at a reshuffle of local party chapter heads today (August 12).

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

The remark signals that chapter heads who show low engagement in the struggle against the opposition will be replaced.

An aide to 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 heads, short for steering committee chairs of local party councils, are appointed to each parliamentary constituency and oversee regional organizations.

Incumbent lawmakers customarily serve as chapter heads, alongside many non-lawmaker heads.

Their terms expire at the end of August in even-numbered years within the People Power Party, meaning some will be replaced through party member votes rather than being retained.

Analysts suggest that Leader Chang's reshuffle policy is aimed at opposing lawmakers and outside chapter heads, including those aligned with the pro-Han faction.

Some also interpret it 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 must be hoping that you will not remain an independent for long, respected Chairman Han Dong-hoon.]

Meanwhile, People Power Party Lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo sharply criticized the pro-Hwan faction within the party, stating that "movement politics seeking reinstatement must be eradicated."

[Ahn Cheol-soo / People Power Party Lawmaker: Those who serve specific figures outside the party and divide the party must be disqualified from running in the next general election.]

In response, pro-Han faction Lawmaker Han Ji-a hit back, urging leadership to "aim for integration rather than exclusion."

Some responsible party members of the People Power Party are engaging in a battle of joint statements.

After party members opposed to Leader Chang announced that 27,000 party members and citizens had joined a signature drive demanding his resignation, Chang's fan cafe countered by announcing plans to release a statement of support backed by 30,000 participants.

With one year remaining until his term ends, Leader Chang has rejected calls for an early resignation, stating, "I am not considering a vote of confidence or an early party convention at all."

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