Jang Dong-hyuk pledges member‑centered party as People Power support slips

People Power Party (PPP) leader Jang Dong‑hyuk said the party will become a "member‑centered" organization, emphasizing that disciplinary actions and leadership decisions must reflect the will of its members. He added that the party should now focus on issues such as a special investigation into alleged voting‑rights violations, electoral reform and a possible re‑election.

His comments come as the PPP’s approval rating fell to the mid‑20s percent in recent polls – 24% in a Korean Gallup survey, down 2 points from the previous week, and 29.1% in a KSOI poll, a decline after a brief post‑local‑election surge. Internal debate over Jang’s future has intensified, with some factions demanding his resignation while others rally behind his hard‑line supporters.

Jang has begun a series of regional appearances, traveling from Incheon to Busan for rallies on protecting voting rights after a ballot‑shortage scandal. The Busan event, scheduled for 12 May, follows a youth‑focused meeting and will be part of a broader “nation‑wide public‑opinion campaign” that he says aims to safeguard democratic participation. Party insiders describe the tour as an attempt to consolidate his base amid mounting pressure, while critics label it “self‑servicing politics.”