People Power Party (PPP) Foreign Media Spokesperson Joo Hyun-chul, who had been embroiled in controversy over aggressive remarks targeting fellow party members, resigned today (July 15).

In a Facebook post today, Joo announced his resignation, stating, "I believed that the national mission and direction I firmly hold should never become a burden to the party leader or a liability to the party." He added, "Holding onto this position while compromising my convictions would be deceiving myself and misleading our party members."

Joo had previously faced criticism for using social media to represent the personal stance of party leader Jang Dong-hyuk rather than the official position of the party.

He specifically sparked controversy by fiercely criticizing Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, labeling his actions as "a meticulous and greedy attempt to build a faction within the party for the presidency" and stating that "refusing to leave the party while under indictment is not the duty of a politician."

Regarding independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon's visit to pay respects at the funeral for leader Jang's family member, Joo criticized it as "a shallow political act that was thoroughly calculated, not an act of mourning." Furthermore, in a YouTube appearance, he targeted the party's secretariat, claiming, "There are secretariat staff members who wish for the party leader to die," which led the party's secretariat labor union to officially demand an apology.

He also continued to make harsh remarks primarily targeting those with poor relationships with leader Jang, such as his comment regarding lawmaker Lee Sung-kwon, where he stated, "Is Busan sleeping after electing such a person as a lawmaker?"

(Photo: Capture from YouTube 'Ground C', Yonhap News)