Both parties reel from local election fallout as calls mount for leadership resignations

Internal turmoil is deepening within both parties over who bears responsibility for the June 3 local election results.

The Democratic Party of Korea faced calls for leader Jung Chung-rae's resignation at a general assembly meeting of lawmakers, while the People Power Party continued to wrangle over the future of its leader, Jang Dong-hyeok.

Jung visited the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery in Gwangju on Friday morning and said he had silently told the spirits of those who died in the May 18 pro-democracy uprising that "we are deeply sorry for falling short, and that we will do better going forward."

According to political sources, multiple lawmakers called for Jung's resignation at Thursday's general assembly meeting. Rep. Jang Cheol-min said the more serious problem in the Seoul mayoral race was not the defeat itself but that "there was not a single warning or signal from the central party." He argued that if the party truly wanted unity and to consolidate its strength after the party convention, Jung "should step down today."

Jung did not respond directly to the criticism. At a forum marking the first anniversary of the Lee Jae Myung government, held the same day at the National Assembly, he told reporters asking whether he would seek a second term, "Everyone can judge for themselves."

Senior spokesperson Kang Jun-hyeon held a press briefing at the National Assembly on Friday and said Jung "has been listening to a range of opinions within the party regarding his future and is deliberating." He added that "it seems right to wait until he has fully sorted out and expressed his position."

The People Power Party is also facing sustained internal strife as calls for Jang's resignation grow louder. Floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik held his first press briefing since taking office at the National Assembly on Friday and said the party would decide on a schedule for a general assembly meeting "by this Sunday." Once the date is set, the question of Jang's future is expected to move quickly.

Jeong had told members of "Alternative and Future" — an intraparty reform caucus pushing for Jang's ouster — on Thursday that he would "decide on the general assembly schedule and related matters by Sunday." Twenty-five members of the caucus held a press conference Friday, declaring that "Jang's leadership has collapsed, and this is entirely the responsibility of the Jang Dong-hyeok leadership," and demanding his resignation.

Sources close to Jeong said his camp has reached a consensus that Jang stepping down is unavoidable, but that the leadership transition must minimize internal division and conflict. A person close to Jeong said the key is "making sure there is a clear path for him to step down gracefully."

A potential complicating factor is the ballot shortage controversy from the election. Jang has said he "cannot accept the results of this local election" and is calling for a full re-run. Some observers note that with an investigation into the matter still underway, it may be difficult for Jang to resign immediately.

Supreme council member Woo Jae-jun pushed back on that view, saying on SBS Radio that "more than 80 percent of lawmakers probably think he should resign," and asking, "Didn't Rep. Kwon Young-se also call for the entire leadership to step down?"