PPP's Woo Jae-jun: '70-80% of lawmakers want Jang Dong-hyeok to resign'

People Power Party supreme council member Woo Jae-jun said Thursday that he believes a majority of lawmakers privately think party leader Jang Dong-hyeok should step down — estimating the share at "70 to 80 percent or more."

Woo made the remarks during an appearance on SBS Radio's "Kim Tae-hyun's Politics Show," in response to a question about how many lawmakers were calling for Jang's resignation.

"This is my personal view, but even lawmakers like Rep. Kwon Young-se have recently spoken about the leadership stepping down," Woo said. "Their individual positions differ somewhat, but it is still not easy to find a justification for this leadership serving out its full one-year term."

He added, however, that the mood was unlikely to turn into an outright push to drive the leadership out. "Many people will probably agree that Jang Dong-hyeok worked hard," Woo said. Asked by the host whether floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik would try to build a consensus among lawmakers and persuade the leadership to resign, Woo said, "Personally, I think that outcome is somewhat more likely."

Woo also addressed his own position. "I am honestly not attached to my seat — I am ready to take responsibility and resign at any time," he said. "That said, if I resign alone right now, my vacancy could simply be filled through a by-election, which might actually consolidate the current leadership further."

On Wednesday, Woo had called openly at a supreme council meeting for all members to resign together and transition to an emergency committee. Such a transition requires four elected supreme council members to step down. If Woo alone resigns, however, a by-election can be held to fill the vacant seat.

"There are YouTube channels close to the current leadership that are already naming specific candidates to replace us," Woo said. "I am weighing what role I should play in moving our party forward — whether that means resigning, or staying and working together to persuade the leadership to step down. I am thinking about how to play the right part."