People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok on the 4th, regarding the results of the 6·3 local elections, said “we kept alive the embers of hope,” signaling an intention to retain the party leadership. The pro-leadership camp considers the outcome better than expected, noting that, compared with the 2018 local elections held after the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye, when it kept two poststhe Daegu mayor·North Gyeongsang governorit held four of the sixteen metropolitan posts including the Seoul mayoralty. Some lawmakers argued that posts such as the Seoul mayoralty were not won by the strength of the leadership and that “a defeat is a defeat,” raising calls for leadership accountability.

The party leadership said it was disappointed by the result yet offered a positive assessment. In a statement, Jang called it “a disappointing election result” but said, “although every circumstance was difficult in this election, we kept alive the embers of hope.” Jang said, “it is the command of the people to defend the lives of the people and to defend the Republic of Korea against the arrogant and lawless Lee Jae Myung and the Democratic Party,” and added, “I will not turn away from the heavy responsibility placed on me, and together with party members I will seek the new path for us to take.” This was interpreted as signaling an intention to remain as party leader.

Secretary General Jeong Hee-yong also said in a statement, “although the election began under difficult circumstances, the support from residents we met in local markets and in alleys everywhere was a great source of hope,” and added, “we will not forget that you clearly showed the public desire to stop the arrogant Democratic Party from running unchecked and to achieve at least minimal checks.”

The pro-leadership camp argues that, because it held four of the sixteen metropolitan posts, there is no reason for the party leader to step down, and that responding to the National Election Commission ballot-paper shortage is the urgent task. One pro-leadership figure said, “we started on the premise that it would be a difficult election, and there is a mood of relief that Seoul was held,” adding, “outside the party, Representative Jang needs to properly hold the election commission to account, and inside the party, there is also a need to sternly look into those who engaged in disloyal acts.” The phrase refers to party figures who helped Han Dong-hoon, an independent who won the Busan Buk-gap National Assembly by-election.

Among lawmakers, a leadership accountability debate did arise, but it was muted. The People Power Party held a general meeting of lawmakers at the National Assembly that day, but there was no discussion of the leadership status. Park Chung-kwon, the senior spokesperson for the floor, told reporters after the meeting that no lawmaker had mentioned leadership accountability. Jang did not attend the meeting. However, lawmaker Kim Jae-seop told reporters after the meeting, regarding the victory in the Seoul mayoral race, “I think that if we had been together with Representative Jang Dong-hyeok, we could never have won the Seoul race.”

In the SNS group chat that brings together all People Power Party lawmakers, calls for leadership accountability were also raised. Posts included: “because of faults of the party, local election candidates went through hardship they did not need to” (Rep. Yoon Han-hong), “a complete transformation for what comes next is essential” (Rep. Han Ki-ho), and “it sounds like a supreme mandate for our party to stay sharp, innovate, and unite. The spirit of putting the party before self is needed now more than ever” (Rep. Lee Yang-soo).

A lawmaker from the non-leadership camp said, “a defeat is a defeat. If not for Representative Jang, we would have won in more regions. Stepping down is the right thing to do,” but added, “in practical terms, if Representative Jang holds out, there is no way to drive him out. The Jang leadership will be maintained for a while.” Another non-leadership lawmaker said, “we lost Busan, and Seoul was a race won regardless of Representative Jang. It is a clear defeat,” and added, “if he does not step down voluntarily, lawmakers will not sit by.”