Jeong Jeom-sik, a three-term lawmaker representing Tongyeong and Goseong in South Gyeongsang, was elected to lead the People Power Party's floor. It is a heavy responsibility to steady a party shaken by its crushing defeat in the local elections and to lead legislative fights against the administration.
The forum held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 10th ahead of the floor leader vote offered a chance to gauge the views of the new floor leader, Jeong Jeom-sik, on current issues. Here is a summary of Jeong's answers about the leadership under Jang Dong-hyeok, plans to mend internal rifts, and strategies for fights against the administration.
◇ "Back to a pro-Yoon party? I won't be a shield for any faction"
At the forum, lawmakers Kim Do-eup and Seong Il-jong highlighted that Floor Leader Jeong is part of the pro-leadership, pro-Yoon camp. They voiced concern that Jang Dong-hyeok's direction, seen as far from public sentiment, could continue.
Jeong said, "I will not become a shield for any specific faction or individual," offering an active explanation. Jeong said, "While serving as policy committee chair, I led the drafting of the 'break with factionalism' declaration, and during the last local election I strongly argued that the party chair should not concurrently serve as senior election committee chair."
Jeong said, "With a focus on the people's will and the collective wisdom of the caucus as the center of judgment, I will gather lawmakers' views and respond confidently and firmly," adding, "If I become floor leader, I will begin by talking with those labeled as other factions."
He said, "I will first set straight the party's direction in a way everyone can agree on by uniting lawmakers' intentions," and added, "I will push changes and reforms that meet the public's expectations." He also said, "Regardless of faction or seniority, I will broadly appoint talent to lay the foundation for a future-oriented policy party."
◇ "Democratic Party's runaway lawmaking has lost reason… press with the power of public opinion"
Jeong also foreshadowed a strong fight against the government and the ruling camp. Jeong said, "We are confronting an outrageous Democratic Party that monopolizes parliamentary power and even shakes the judicial system solely to erase President Lee Jae-myung's crimes," and criticized, "The Democratic Party will continue its reason-losing legislative rampage."
He continued, "We will make clear the essence of bad laws in line with common sense and apply pressure with the strong power of public opinion," adding, "We will proactively raise livelihood issues to seize the initiative in policy competition."
Jeong said, "This National Assembly in the second half of the year will be a crucial watershed that decides whether the People Power Party proves its presence as an alternative party, or is pushed aside and reduced to a bystander by the massive ruling party's rampage," adding, "For each key bill, we will create a task force and establish countermeasures."
◇ Jang Dong-hyeok and Han Dong-hoon issues set aside for now
Among the issues Jeong faces, the most urgent is the internal conflict over the fate of Chair Jang Dong-hyeok. Calls for Jang's resignation are intensifying among the pro-Han camp and younger lawmakers, while Jang has dismissed the calls.
Jeong is classified as pro-leadership, but during the floor leader race he said Jang should step down. However, rather than urging an early resignation, he is expected to seek ways to prompt Jang's own decision.
The issue of independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon returning to the party is the same. Regarding Han's readmission, Jeong previously said, "It is a matter that must be decided through sufficient opinion-gathering procedures among lawmakers within the party." With the pro-Han camp and pro-leadership faction taking diametrically opposed positions on Han's return, attention is on what solution Jeong will find.