장동혁, 당협위원장 일괄사퇴 뒤 재선출 추진…당내 반발 확산

The New Citizens' Party (국민의힘) recently announced plans to re-elect all party vice-presidents, including current members, after removing them in a simultaneous resignation. This move is seen as a way to expand the control of vice-chairman Jeong Dong-hyuk. At an early morning meeting at the National Assembly, a proposal to change the procedure for selecting party vice-presidents was discussed.

Jeong Dong-hyuk argued that the party's rules state that vice-presidents should be replaced every even year by the end of August, and that the re-election process should be left to the Party's Organization and Special Committee. However, opposition leaders like Vice President Choi Won-jun and Youth Vice President Yu Jeong-o expressed concerns.

The current system of appointing vice-presidents without voting has been the norm. Choi also criticized the current leadership for allegedly using the position to secure early party nominations for the next election, stating that the party needs to show broader inclusivity and unity. Even former vice president Yang Hyun-suk voiced his opposition, urging the party to return to a general congress.

Within the party, there were concerns about the legitimacy of vice-presidents not belonging to the core leadership, the potential for misunderstanding if non-vice-presidents ran for the position, and the need for thorough discussion and decision-making through the National Assembly. The Central Ethics Committee of the party also conducted a review of the actions against Vice President Jang Rae, though the final decision on disciplinary measures will be announced on May 21.