People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok warned on the 23rd, "If a candidate engages in the act in question, I will immediately replace them." It is seen as a show of resolve to block internal division ahead of the local elections and to establish election discipline.
In closing remarks at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, that morning, Jang said, "From now on, such acts in question could be fatal to the election," and stated accordingly.
Mentioning that the local elections are 41 days away, Jang emphasized, "You can never win a battle with an army whose discipline has collapsed," and "Now we must properly identify the opponent we are to fight."
Jang announced that he had taken steps to have election countermeasure committees (Seondaewi) formed by each city and provincial party chapter. In regions where metropolitan mayoral or gubernatorial candidates have been decided, he instructed the city and provincial party chapters and the candidates to form the committees in consultation.
He said, "These measures are routine procedures that occur every time during local elections," adding, "While watching the conclusion of nominations, we will also form the central election countermeasure committee."
Jang's remarks came as criticism toward the party leadership was growing. The previous day, Kim Jin-tae, who was confirmed as the People Power Party candidate for Gangwon governor, told Jang, who visited the field in Gangwon Province, "I hope you return to the splendid Jang Dong-hyeok of old. 'He who tied the knot should untie it' is needed."
There was also an interpretation that the remarks were aimed at the growing calls to refrain from fielding a People Power Party candidate in the Busan Buk-gap National Assembly by-election in consideration of former leader Han Dong-hoon, who, after being expelled from the party, made official his independent run.
Reports said that Park Heong-joon, Kim Doo-kyum, and Park Wan-su, who were confirmed the previous day as People Power Party candidates for Busan, Ulsan, and South Gyeongsang, said they were "discussing a request for no nomination in the Busan Buk-gap by-election," but all three candidates' camps denied it as "groundless."