The leadership of the People Power Party in South Korea is facing a significant challenge as calls for resignation from Jang Dong-hyuk, the party leader, grow stronger following his refusal to cut ties with former President Yoon Seok-youl. Prominent party figures, including six-term lawmaker Cho Kyung-tae, have publicly criticized Jang, warning that his refusal to distance the party from Yoon, whom they describe as a detrimental influence on conservatism, could jeopardize their prospects in upcoming local elections.

A group of 25 current and former party leaders issued a statement urging Jang to resign, indicating that his leadership is leading the party down a path of regression. They emphasize that only by rejecting Yoon's influence can the party revive its connection with true conservatism and the electorate. This situation is exacerbated by Jang's previous comments at a press conference where he expressed regret over the sentence given to Yoon, which has further inflamed tensions within the party.

Moreover, former Daegu mayor Hong Joon-pyo weighed in by criticizing Jang’s leadership approach that appears to prioritize maintaining a solid support base rather than seeking a broader consensus. He warned that if the party does not sever ties with what he referred to as a 'coup party', there would be no future for the People Power Party. This internal rift highlights ideological divides within South Korea's conservative political landscape, placing the future direction of the party in jeopardy.