Why Did 국민의힘 Leader 장동혁 Extend His US Trip? Key Insights Revealed!

Jo Han-dae | 2026.04.18

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[Anchor] People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk, who is visiting the United States, has postponed his return. He says he delayed his departure after receiving a call from the U.S. State Department while completing departure procedures at the airport. Critics both inside and outside the party have reacted strongly. Jo Han-dae reports. [Reporter] Jang, who had traveled to the U.S. earlier than planned, has extended his stay by three days. According to party officials, he lengthened his schedule abruptly after the State Department contacted him while he was on his way to the airport to check in. Park Jun-tae, chief secretary to the People Power Party leader, said, \"We received contact from the State Department and extended the schedule. We were told the extension was at the request of State Department officials.\" He added that meetings with high-ranking U.S. officials such as Vice President J.D. Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio have not yet been arranged. What had been planned as a two-night, four-day trip will now last eight nights and 10 days. With local elections approaching, the party is deeply divided. Apparently responding to the criticism surrounding the trip, the People Power Party released video of Jang’s English-language speech in Washington. In that speech, Jang sharply criticized the Lee Jae-myung administration’s policy toward North Korea, saying, \"The Korean government has acted in ways that weaken the foundation of alliance trust, such as scaling back U.S.–South Korea joint military exercises and pushing to restore the Sept. 19 inter-Korean military agreement.\" But criticism within and outside the party has not subsided. Even five-term veteran Rep. Na Kyung-won, who has seldom publicly clashed with party leadership, joined the chorus of critics. Speaking on SBS Radio’s \"Kim Tae-hyun’s Political Show,\" Na said, \"It wasn’t a pretty picture. I’m disappointed. I don’t think the timing of the U.S. visit was appropriate.\" Rep. Jeong Seong-guk, aligned with the pro-Han faction, lashed out, saying candidates awaiting nominations are growing increasingly anxious. Democratic Party lawmaker Park Ji-won launched a blistering attack, calling Jang a \"political psychopath\" and urging that authorities consider barring him from re-entering the country. This is Jo Han-dae for Yonhap News TV. [Video reporters: Kim Seong-soo, Park Tae-beom, Kim Sang-hoon, Hong Soo-ho] [Video editing: Kang Tae-im] [Graphics: Kim Hyung-seo] [News review] Yonhap News TV inquiries and tips: KakaoTalk/Line jebo23 Jo Han-dae (onepunch@yna.co.kr)
Jo Han-dae

Jo Han-dae

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