Song Eon-seok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, said on April 28 that with roughly a month remaining before the June 3 local elections, debating whether party leader Jang Dong-hyuk should resign or step back to a secondary role ahead of the vote misplaces priorities. On SBS’s “Joo Young-jin’s News Briefing,” Song acknowledged that “(Jang) has been involved in several controversies” and that “there have been regrettable moments recently that fell short of the public’s expectations,” while arguing that leadership succession should not be the immediate focus. He pointed to Jang’s recent eight-night, 10-day trip to the United States as an example.
Song questioned whether replacing the party leader would meaningfully raise the party’s approval ratings and warned against “changing generals right before a war.” He added that he believes Jang is likely grappling with the issue.
On the question of expelled former leader Han Dong-hoon’s bid in the Busan Buk-gap parliamentary by-election, Song pushed back against calls from Busan-based lawmakers Kim Do-eup, Kwak Gyu-taek and Kim Dae-sik — who raised options such as “no nomination” and “reinstatement” while urging conservative unity — saying, “In any case, we should nominate our candidate quickly.”
He said the party’s obligation is to work so that its nominated candidate can win, and that once an election is underway the party must field a candidate and then marshal all available resources to secure that candidate’s victory.
Responding to calls from some within the party to shorten his floor leader term (which runs through June 15) to align with the Democratic Party’s selection of a new floor leader on May 6, he dismissed the proposal, saying he does not cling to his post and will do his best in whatever duties he is asked to perform.
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