Floor Leader Jung Jum-sik, 'Sidelining' Party Leader Jang Dong-hyeok Controversy

Criticism has been raised that Floor Leader Jung Jum-sik's external activities are being conducted as if he were the party leader, bypassing Party Leader Jang Dong-hyeok. It is pointed out that it is inappropriate for the floor leader to act like the party leader, bypassing the actual party leader, even though meeting former presidents out of courtesy after local elections is the role of the party leader.

The speaker claimed that Floor Leader Jung Jum-sik's actions are intended to weaken Party Leader Jang Dong-hyeok's leadership.

It was argued that Floor Leader Jung Jum-sik's stated reason for visiting former presidents — to thank them for their support in the local elections — is inappropriate. The local elections are, in principle, led by the party leader, and the outcome and responsibility of the election solely belong to the party leader.

It was also pointed out that while former President Park Geun-hye contributed to the local elections, former President Lee Myung-bak's role is unclear.

It was argued that politicians should truly thank the free-leaning citizens and party members. The People Power Party was criticized for never officially thanking its members for election results.

The speaker assessed that Floor Leader Jung Jum-sik lacks the fundamental understanding to engage in politics.

It was alleged that former President Lee Myung-bak, meeting with Floor Leader Jung Jum-sik, repeatedly made remarks to the effect of 'In this party, the floor is more important than the party.' It is pointed out that these remarks can be interpreted as an intention to divide the party and the floor, thereby weakening the party leader's authority.

Myeolkong TV criticized former President Lee Myung-bak's act of giving advice to Floor Leader Jung Jum-sik as potentially fostering internal party conflict.

Criticism was raised that during Lee Myung-bak's five-year administration, instead of rectifying the misgovernance of the Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun administrations, he focused on purging pro-Park Geun-hye factions while advocating 'pragmatism.' Myeolkong TV argued that former President Lee Myung-bak broke his promise with President Park Geun-hye during the 2008 general election by orchestrating the 'pro-Park massacre'.

It is argued that during his tenure, former President Lee Myung-bak did not make efforts to normalize South Korea but rather concentrated solely on removing the pro-Park faction.

Former President Lee Myung-bak's remarks emphasizing courtesy towards former President Roh Moo-hyun in an interview with the JoongAng Ilbo have caused controversy. In the interview, former President Lee Myung-bak mentioned former President Moon Jae-in, a close confidant of former President Roh Moo-hyun, and claimed that after 10 years of left-wing government, the Lee Myung-bak government tried to show courtesy to former President Roh Moo-hyun.

Allegations have been raised that former President Lee Myung-bak rejected the resignation of the Prosecutor General appointed by former President Roh Moo-hyun. This led to criticism that he chose to protect former President Roh Moo-hyun instead of dismantling the left-wing government.

Myeolkong TV claimed that former President Lee Myung-bak personally rejected the Prosecutor General's resignation, telling him that he must continue as Prosecutor General to protect former President Roh Moo-hyun.

It was claimed that former President Lee Myung-bak summoned Floor Leader Jung Jum-sik and conveyed the message, 'The floor is more important than the party. You, Jung Jum-sik, are more important than Jang Dong-hyeok.' This remark can be interpreted as emphasizing Floor Leader Jung Jum-sik's importance over Jang Dong-hyeok's leadership.

Myeolkong TV criticized former President Lee Myung-bak, asking, 'Were you not deceived and subservient to the left-wing government for five years?'

Myeolkong TV reported that the Jang Dong-hyeok leadership decided to elect Floor Leader Jung Jum-sik over candidate Seong Il-jong based on the judgment that 'with Jung Jum-sik, party operations would be more stable.' This is analyzed as a strategic choice by the leadership to prevent candidate Kim Do-eup and block Han Dong-hoon's reinstatement, among other things.

However, it is now being assessed that Floor Leader Jung Jum-sik is ultimately shaking Jang Dong-hyeok's leadership.

It was rumored that Floor Leader Jung Jum-sik's visit to former President Lee Myung-bak after failing to visit former President Park Geun-hye was a conspiracy to use former President Lee Myung-bak to remove Jang Dong-hyeok's leadership. It is claimed that former President Lee Myung-bak, based on his own calculations, advocated for completely disregarding Party Leader Jang Dong-hyeok and proceeding with Floor Leader Jung Jum-sik at the center.

Allegations were also raised that pro-Lee Myung-bak faction figures within the People Power Party, such as veteran Representative Joo Ho-young, are moving to oust Jang Dong-hyeok's leadership.

Representative Yoon Sang-hyun was criticized for 'obstructing' Party Leader Jang Dong-hyeok's introduction of direct elections for local chapter chairpersons, stating that the public sentiment must be clearly reflected. Additionally, a change in Representative Yoon Sang-hyun's stance, who had advocated for a public debate on election fraud theories regarding the special prosecutor's investigation after the National Assembly's special committee on election commission activities ended, was also pointed out.

An analysis emerged that Representative Yoon Sang-hyun is aiming for the interim emergency committee chairmanship while checking Party Leader Jang Dong-hyeok. This is interpreted as considering an interim emergency committee system because there is still a lot of time until the party convention.

The speaker mentioned that Representative Yoon Sang-hyun is interested in party leadership and appears to be making moves to become the interim emergency committee chairperson after bringing down Party Leader Jang Dong-hyeok.

The Itaewon Special Prosecutor (National Election Commission Special Prosecutor) designated the Olympic Park Handball Stadium as a 'crime scene' and sent an official letter requesting preservation of the site. This action was taken after the plan for a recount, which had been scheduled by the special committee for parliamentary investigation, was canceled.

Myeolkong TV stated that the special prosecutor sent an official letter to the National Election Commission requesting that the site not be damaged and that it be preserved.

Representative Lee Jin-sook announced her intention to propose an amendment to the 5.18 Act, which includes the public disclosure of the list of 5.18 meritorious persons, initiating a 'combative' response. When Representative Kim Min-seok criticized Representative Lee Jin-sook as 'Female Chun Doo-hwan,' Representative Lee Jin-sook retorted by calling Representative Kim Min-seok 'New Millennium NHK,' sparking a heated exchange that also drew attention.

It was emphasized that Representative Lee Jin-sook's attempt to propose such a bill is an unprecedented move within the People Power Party.

The amendment to the 5.18 meritorious persons related law that Representative Lee Jin-sook plans to propose contains three main points. First is the public disclosure of the list of 5.18 meritorious persons, and second is to establish legal grounds for disclosing not only the meritorious persons but also their service records.

Third, the plan is to improve the system so that 5.18 meritorious persons, currently managed by Gwangju Metropolitan City, South Jeolla Province, are overseen by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, like other national meritorious persons, and reviewed by the Ministry's deliberation committee.

It was emphasized that strict criteria should be applied to the selection of national meritorious persons, as it is an honor not only for the individual but also for their family, and direct lineal ascendants and descendants receive various government benefits for generations. It was argued that all national meritorious persons, including those from the Korean War, the Battle of Yeonpyeong, and the democratization movement, should have their contributions accurately investigated and deliberated under equivalent standards.

Myeolkong TV's position is that since 5.18 meritorious persons are also national meritorious persons, it is natural to apply strict criteria to their selection process, identical to other national meritorious persons.

A forecast emerged that the Democratic Party of Korea would lack grounds to oppose the amendment to the 5.18 meritorious persons related law that Representative Lee Jin-sook intends to propose. It was questioned what excuses the opposition party could make to oppose the amendment, which embodies Representative Lee Jin-sook's confident arguments.

Myeolkong TV, as a member of the People Power Party, emphasized that Representative Lee Jin-sook's pursuit of the amendment is appropriate.

The activities of first-term lawmakers such as Representatives Lee Jin-sook, Kim Tae-gyu, and Kim Min-jeon are prominent within the People Power Party. They are evaluated as showing a different level of combativeness compared to the three-term and four-term veteran groups who cannot even properly assert themselves.

A prediction emerged that if Party Leader Jang Dong-hyeok's plan to nominate and put forward those who are willing to fight is implemented, and if the number of lawmakers with this level of combativeness increases to 30-40, the People Power Party's character will significantly improve.

This is interpreted as a strategy to strengthen the party's combativeness and achieve victory in the general election through generational change and nomination reform within the People Power Party.