Korea Ruling Party Chief Pushes Direct Vote for Local Chairs

According to a PPP official on the 23rd, the party leadership plans to bring the nationwide district committee chair reselection plan back before the Supreme Council meeting on the 24th. The plan calls for the collective resignation of all current district committee chairs, whose terms expire at the end of this month, followed by the selection of new chairs through votes by responsible party members. Choi Bo-yun, PPP chief spokesperson, explained, "This is not a matter that can be delayed further, so a conclusion will be reached after sufficient discussion." The same agenda item had been discussed at the Supreme Council on the 20th but no conclusion was reached. Afterward, when a general meeting of lawmakers was held amid the backlash, the leadership decided to discuss the matter again after hearing lawmakers' opinions.

Observers say that if the Supreme Council puts the agenda to a vote, it is likely to pass. In the earlier discussion, PPP floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik and PPP youth Supreme Council member Woo Jae-jun opposed the plan, while the majority of the remaining Supreme Council members supported the reselection plan. One leadership official said, "PPP senior Supreme Council member Shin Dong-wook abstained at the time, but since there is no justification for opposing it, his position could change." PPP Supreme Council member Yang Hyang-ja said, "I hope the leadership will responsibly reach a consensus and arrive at a unanimous conclusion that everyone can accept."

The problem is that the backlash from lawmakers is not easing. In recent successive general meetings, lawmakers gathered opinions opposing the wholesale reselection of district committee chairs. Their reasoning is that holding nationwide district committee chair elections at a time when the party should be pouring all its energy into fighting the ruling party ahead of the regular National Assembly session would only fuel unnecessary internal competition and organizational division. There are also considerable concerns that regional organizations could split if those who failed to win nominations in local elections or figures outside the Assembly compete against sitting lawmakers. PPP lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun also said, "If the opposition becomes mired in internal conflict and splits in the face of the enemy, the people will not give it another chance."

Suspicions have also been raised that the reselection plan is a move by leader Jang to seize control of the party. Since district committee chairs are positions that manage regional organizations, they are figures highly likely to receive nominations in the next general election. Critics point out that if a large number of figures friendly to Jang are selected as district committee chairs through wholesale reselection, it would effectively be the same as Jang, who has no nomination authority, exercising nomination power.

In response to such backlash, Jang's side counters that "the justification actually lies with the reselection plan." Their explanation is that if reselection is conducted through district committee steering committees as under existing practice, incumbent chairs are likely to be naturally reselected, so giving responsible party members direct selection rights is justified. Rebutting the lawmakers' backlash, one leadership official said, "Because this is a measure to relinquish vested interests, lawmakers are fiercely opposing the reform."

Amid signs of a hardline standoff, behind-the-scenes contacts also continued over the weekend toward a smooth compromise. The floor leadership reportedly conveyed lawmakers' concerns to the leadership and is preparing a compromise plan regarding the reselection method and procedure. A floor leadership official said, "The floor leader is considering various options," adding, "We will do our best in a direction that does not divide the party."

Concerns are emerging that if the leadership forces through the reselection plan despite the floor's backlash, lawmakers' resistance to Jang's drive to consolidate control over the party could erupt all at once, coupled with the harsh disciplinary measures against four sitting lawmakers. Regarding the disciplinary measures against the lawmakers, criticism that the level is excessive continues not only among the anti-leadership faction but also among lawmakers of the old mainstream.

Internal party conflict could also flare up again this week around the first anniversary of Jang's inauguration. Jang plans to hold a press conference on the 26th marking his first anniversary in office to reveal his vision for running the party going forward. A gathering of veteran lawmakers with four or more terms is also scheduled for the same day. Since this will be followed by a lawmakers' workshop attended by all members, the calls for Jang's resignation and the leadership controversy, which had subsided for a while, could reignite.