On the 10th, marking the 80th anniversary of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, said the Yoon Suk Yeol administration failed to adequately solicit workers' opinions during its labor reform efforts and called for party-level reflection on how the previous government pursued labor policy. When reporters pressed him about his stance on "severing ties with Yoon," he remained silent.
In his congratulatory address at the KCTU's 80th anniversary ceremony, Jang said that earlier this year the party pledged a new direction and placed "a society that respects labor" at the center of its agenda.
He noted that the party appointed Kim Wi-sang, a former KCTU member, as the party's labor committee chair, and Kim Hae-gwang, executive deputy chair of the KCTU's Seoul branch, as his labor special advisor. The party also established a labor bureau to handle internal labor issues and policy.
He said the moves reflect the party's determination to listen more closely to workers and to open a new path for labor together with the KCTU. They also represent the party's recognition that the Yoon administration did not sufficiently gather workers' views during its labor reform process.
He paid tribute to and thanked those who have steadfastly defended the value of labor and worked to advance workers' rights over the past 80 years, emphasizing that going forward the party will do its utmost to pursue sound labor reforms together with the KCTU and all workers.
Earlier, on the 9th, People Power Party lawmakers, including Jang, adopted a resolution after a party meeting declaring their clear opposition to any calls for the former president's political return.
The move formalized the party's break with the former president at the party level, but Jang issued only a brief statement through his chief spokesperson saying he respects the party's collective will and did not articulate a separate position on severing ties with Yoon.
After the event, when reporters asked, "You did not state your position after the resolution was adopted yesterday — what is your stance on severing ties?" Jang replied, "I already conveyed my position through the chief spokesperson after the resolution was adopted."
When asked why he had not spoken at the party meeting the day before, he said only, "I listened carefully to the many opinions of the lawmakers."
Faced with follow-up questions — such as that hardline conservative YouTuber Jeon Han-gil is demanding a meeting, that hardline YouTubers are discussing possible defections, and that he said he "respects loyalty" — and whether he agrees with severing ties, Jang offered no answer and left the event.
