People Power Party adopts phased direct elections for local chairpersons

People Power Party cabinet reshuffle party chair elections direct election system South Korean politics

The People Power Party has decided to implement a phased introduction of direct elections for local party chairpersons. Following opposition from sitting lawmakers, the party will not apply the system nationwide immediately. Instead, direct elections will first be applied to 34 vacant or 'accident-prone' party districts. For regular elections scheduled for 2026, the party will maintain its existing selection methods.

To increase member participation, the party will mandate that 50% of the evaluation for local chairpersons during regular party audits be based on member feedback. Districts with low evaluations may be subject to replacement through a process involving the Party Organization Strengthening Special Committee and subsequent member voting.

Separately, People Power Party leadership has issued sharp criticisms regarding President Lee Jae-myung's recent cabinet reshuffle. Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok and Floor Leader Jung Jeom-sik characterized the appointments as a move to protect the President and prioritize canceling his legal trials rather than addressing public concerns. Specific criticisms were leveled at the nomination of Kim Seung-won for Justice Minister, with leaders claiming the move is intended to facilitate the dismissal of criminal charges.

Entities

Cho Hee-dae · Jang Dong-hyeok · Jung Jeom-sik · Kim Seung-won · Lee Jae-myung · National Assembly of South Korea · People Power Party

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 5 SOURCES] Jang Dong-hyeok claimed Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won is focused on canceling the President's trials. www.sportalkorea.com · www.mbn.co.kr · www.imaeil.com
[● 5 SOURCES] The People Power Party decided to implement direct elections for local party chairpersons only for 34 vacant positions initially. www.sisajournal.com · www.newstomato.com · www.kyeonggi.com · www.seoul.co.kr
[● 4 SOURCES] Jang Dong-hyeok criticized President Lee Jae-myung's cabinet reshuffle as a move against public sentiment. www.sportalkorea.com · www.mbn.co.kr
[● 2 SOURCES] Floor leader Jung Jeom-sik described the reshuffle as an attempt to protect the President rather than improve livelihoods.
[● 5 SOURCES] Secretary General Jung Hee-yong stated that regular local party chair elections will follow existing methods for 2026. www.sisajournal.com · www.newstomato.com · www.kyeonggi.com · www.seoul.co.kr
[● 4 SOURCES] Jang Dong-hyeok criticized the nomination of Yong Hye-in as the Gender Equality and Family Minister. www.sportalkorea.com · www.mbn.co.kr