South Korea's Opposition Party Leadership Crisis: 25 Branch Leaders Urge Resignation

The People’s Power Party, as South Korea’s largest opposition force, is facing serious internal turbulence. Last week, about 25 local branch leaders—both active and retired—issued a joint statement calling on their opposition party leader, Jang Dong-heok, to resign immediately from his position.

Calls for Resignation from Party Base

The call for resignation did not come from outside the party but from internal members concerned about the current leadership direction. The collective statement emphasized that to prepare for success in upcoming local elections, Jang must “immediately halt actions that lead the party in a direction contrary to public aspirations” and choose to step down voluntarily. The criticism was not only general but also addressed Jang’s response to the first court ruling in a case involving former President Yoon Seok-youl, a controversial figure.

Root of the Dispute: Relationship with Yoon Seok-youl

The core of the dissatisfaction lies in Jang’s reluctance to distance himself from Yoon Seok-youl. For many branch leaders, close ties with this former president are seen as damaging the opposition party’s image and electability in the eyes of the public. The intersection between Jang’s leadership and internal base expectations reflects a strategic dilemma faced by the party in navigating the contemporary political landscape.

Implications for Opposition Party Dynamics

This turmoil reveals deeper weaknesses in the People’s Power Party’s leadership structure. Tensions between the central leadership’s vision and local leadership preferences indicate that internal opposition consensus remains far from solid. How Jang responds to these demands will be a crucial indicator of the party’s future stability and cohesion.