South Korea’s ruling People Power Party (PPP) is facing internal turmoil as its leader, Jang Dong-hyok, rejects calls to resign despite the party’s approval rating dropping to a historic low of 15%, according to multiple Korean media reports. The decline comes amid growing dissent within the party over Jang’s refusal to distance himself from former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in February 2026 on charges related to his declaration of martial law.
Jang, who became PPP leader in 2024, has consistently maintained that internal party conflicts—not external factors—are primarily responsible for the drop in support. In recent public remarks, he described the 15% approval figure as “a somewhat different result” and reiterated that resigning would not resolve the party’s deeper structural issues. His stance has placed him at odds with a significant faction of the party’s local committee chairs, who argue that his continued leadership is damaging the PPP’s electoral prospects.
The crisis intensified in February 2026 when 25 current and former local party committee chairpersons issued a joint statement demanding Jang’s resignation, accusing him of pushing the party “into a swamp of public alienation” by maintaining ties with Yoon. In response, Jang’s supporters within the party convened a counter-meeting, asserting that he remains a “legitimate and just leader” backed by 1.15 million party members and warning against efforts to undermine his authority.
Verification of Jang Dong-hyok’s position and the party’s internal dynamics relies on reports from South Korean news outlets including JoongAng Ilbo, Chosun Ilbo, and Seoul Wire, which documented the February 2026 confrontation between the PPP leader and dissident local committee chairs. These sources confirm that the debate over Jang’s leadership emerged directly after Yoon Suk-yeol’s first-instance life sentence was handed down on February 21, 2026, for his role in the December 2024 martial law declaration.
The Yoon verdict, delivered by the Seoul Central District Court, found the former president guilty of insurrection and abuse of power, marking the first time a South Korean former head of state received such a sentence. While Jang has not publicly endorsed Yoon’s actions, his refusal to advocate for a formal break with the former president has become a focal point of criticism within the PPP, particularly among moderates concerned about appealing to centrist voters ahead of upcoming local elections.
According to polling data referenced in Korean media, only 12% of self-identified centrist voters expressed support for the PPP in early 2026, underscoring the challenge Jang faces in broadening the party’s appeal beyond its conservative base. Despite this, Jang has dismissed suggestions that stepping down would improve electoral prospects, arguing instead that party unity and internal reconciliation are the path to recovery.
The situation reflects broader challenges confronting South Korea’s conservative movement in the aftermath of the Yoon presidency. Analysts note that the PPP must navigate competing pressures: addressing public backlash over the martial law episode while maintaining cohesion among Yoon’s loyalists, who continue to wield significant influence in party structures.
As of April 2026, no formal leadership challenge has been launched against Jang, and the party has not scheduled a leadership election or confidence vote. The next key deadline for the PPP is the June 2026 local elections, which will serve as a critical assessment of voter sentiment toward the party under its current leadership.
For ongoing developments regarding South Korean politics and the People Power Party’s leadership situation, readers can refer to official statements from the PPP’s headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, or monitor coverage from reputable international wire services.
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