Members of South Korea's People Power Party held a press conference Tuesday at the National Assembly gate to demand the resignation of party leader Jang Dong-hyuk.
The protest signals a deepening internal power struggle over whether the party should maintain a far-right trajectory or pivot away from previous leadership legacies to avoid political collapse.
During the event, party members presented petitions reflecting a fractured base. Approximately 27,000 signatures were collected calling for Jang's resignation [1], while about 23,000 signatures were submitted in support of the leader [1]. This divide has been described as a three-way contest for control of the party's future direction.
Park In-kyu, a responsible member of the People Power Party, said the party faces a critical choice regarding its identity. He questioned whether the organization would remain a far-right party aligned with "Yoon-again" or if it would liquidate the legacy of Yoon Suk Yeol to move forward. Park said the party risks self-destruction if it becomes a "Hwang Kyo-ahn season 2" scenario [1].
The protesters are calling for a formal vote to decide Jang's fate, arguing that the current leadership is seeking personal control rather than party stability [1]. The gathering in front of the National Assembly in Seoul served as a public manifestation of these grievances.
Supporters of the leader maintain that the party should remain steadfast. A member supporting Jang said there are approximately 23,000 signatures of support [1].
The conflict centers on the ideological tension between those who wish to double down on right-wing populist roots, and those who believe such a path leads to electoral failure.
“"Will the People Power Party self-destruct as Hwang Kyo-ahn season 2?"”
This internal clash reflects a broader struggle within South Korea's conservative movement to balance loyalty to previous administrations with the need for moderate appeal. By invoking the 'Hwang Kyo-ahn' era—a period associated with ideological rigidity—critics are warning that an overly far-right shift may alienate the general electorate and lead to a loss of political viability.
