“The whole country has effectively become a ‘Jang Dong-hyuk–free’ zone. At this point, there will be no People Power Party candidates asking Chairman Jang Dong-hyuk to come help them.”
A People Power Party official made this remark on the 25th about Chairman Jang Dong-hyuk, suggesting that even with the June 3 local elections approaching, no candidates would request his support in their districts.
Jang’s recent movements appear to reflect this assessment. Throughout March, he largely remained at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, rather than engaging in regional campaigning. While he visited Ulsan on the 20th to encourage prospective local election candidates and met lawmakers in Daegu on the 22nd to discuss the mayoral nomination process, these activities were largely internal party events. Although the official campaign period has not yet begun, this stands in contrast to past party leaders, who would typically visit battleground regions nationwide to build electoral momentum ahead of major elections.
Recently, it has been difficult to find evidence of candidates in key battlegrounds such as Seoul and Busan inviting Jang or requesting to campaign alongside him. Jang’s camp explains that “candidate nominations have not yet been finalized,” but even in regions like South Chungcheong and Gangwon—where candidates have already been confirmed—he has not made visits.
This atmosphere is not unrelated to the People Power Party’s declining approval ratings. According to a Gallup Korea survey conducted from the 17th to the 19th among 1,004 adults aged 18 and over via mobile phone interviews, party support in the Daegu–Gyeongbuk region stood at 29% for the Democratic Party and 28% for the People Power Party. In Busan–Ulsan–Gyeongnam, support was 40% for the Democratic Party and 25% for the People Power Party. Even in its traditional stronghold of Yeongnam, the party is struggling. (For details, refer to the website of the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission.)
Within the party, reactions have been critical. “Who would want to invite a leader who relies on hardline supporters?” said a second-term lawmaker. A lawmaker from the Seoul metropolitan area commented, “Right now, being photographed with Chairman Jang would actually be a negative in Seoul and Gyeonggi.” Bae Hyun-jin, head of the Seoul party chapter, stated on SBS Radio on the 25th, “There is not a single electoral district where his visit would be helpful.”
Concerns within Jang and the party leadership are deepening. They cannot simply stand by while Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae tours regions with candidates in blue attire, showcasing their strength. However, whenever Jang makes public appearances, the presence of hardline right-wing supporters—such as those chanting “Yoon Again”—adds to the burden. A party leadership official said, “He is being attacked over issues beyond his control, which may be limiting his range of activities.”
The People Power Party leadership had planned to hold an on-site Supreme Council meeting in Gyeonggi Province on the 26th and announce region-specific policy pledges, but canceled the event the previous evening.
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