# People Power Party internal disputes and reform stalemate

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/people-power-party-internal-disputes
> Updated: 2026-08-23T06:02:55.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 4.

The People Power Party is experiencing intensifying internal friction regarding leadership, disciplinary measures, and structural reforms. 

Disputes over local leadership have reached a stalemate. Leader Jang Dong-hyeok proposed a plan involving the mass resignation of current chairpersons followed by new elections through direct party member voting to reorganize for the 2028 general election. However, the decision has been postponed following significant pushback from lawmakers and regional chapters. While leadership argues the reform is necessary to strengthen the party, critics characterize the move as a “purge” to replace non-aligned members with leadership supporters. Resistance has also come from pro-Yoon Suk-yeol factions and veteran lawmakers from the Yeongnam region, who fear the change could destabilize local organizational control.

Simultaneously, the party’s Central Ethics Committee’s disciplinary actions have caused further division. Following a physical altercation with a former floor leader, Representative Kwon Young-jin received an 18-month suspension of his party member rights. Kwon, who previously criticized such sanctions as “political terror” and an attempt to silence opposition, announced he will not seek a legal injunction against the decision. Instead, he stated he will fight through political means within the party, despite the suspension threatening his ability to run in the 2028 general elections. These developments follow previous sanctions against other non-mainstream lawmakers, including Cho Kyoung-tae, Jin Jong-oh, and Seo Bum-soo.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-23: People Power Party faces internal strife over discipline and reforms

The People Power Party faces internal turmoil as Representative Kwon Young-jin defies disciplinary action and leader Jang Dong-hyeok's local leadership reforms face backlash from party veterans.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/people-power-party-faces-internal-strife-over-discipline-and-reforms

### 2026-08-22: People Power Party delays direct election plan for local chairpersons

The People Power Party has delayed a decision on leader Jang Dong-hyeok’s proposal for direct elections of local chapter chairpersons following intense opposition from lawmakers who fear a leadership purge.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/people-power-party-faces-rift-over-district-chair-re-election-plan

### 2026-08-20: People Power Party disciplines four lawmakers amid internal backlash

The People Power Party has suspended the membership rights of four non-mainstream lawmakers, sparking internal backlash. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party seeks discipline for lawmaker Lee Jin-sook.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/people-power-party-suspends-party-rights-of-four-lawmakers

### 2026-08-20: People Power Party lawmakers reject leadership plan for local chapter overhaul

South Korea's People Power Party lawmakers have rejected a leadership plan to replace local chapter chairpersons via party member votes, opting instead to maintain existing selection methods to avoid internal r

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/people-power-party-lawmakers-reject-leadership-plan-for-local-chapter-overhaul

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Cite as: People Power Party internal disputes and reform stalemate. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/people-power-party-internal-disputes