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Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, attends a supreme council meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul on October 23. / Photo by Lee Byung-hwa

Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the opposition People Power Party (PPP), is solidifying his position by championing a vision of a “more capable opposition than the ruling party.” Through strengthened on-site engagement and communication with diverse social groups, Jang is working to expand the party’s reach and dispel perceptions of hardline politics while uniting members ahead of the June 3 local elections next year.

According to political sources on October 23, Jang has intensified his efforts to promote internal unity and strengthen ties with various sectors. His recent visits to Bongunsa Temple and the Korea Federation of SMEs reflect a strategy to build the image of a “competent opposition.”

Jang has also kept up sharp criticism of the government’s real estate policy, directly heading the party’s special committee on real estate policy normalization to counter the administration’s approach. On October 24, he is scheduled to visit northern Seoul with Mayor Oh Se-hoon to discuss housing issues and propose policy alternatives such as easing redevelopment and reconstruction restrictions and promoting private-sector supply measures.

During Thursday’s supreme council meeting, Jang pledged, “We will introduce rational and realistic housing policies — expanding supply where it’s needed and creating demand where it’s necessary.”

Although Jang faced initial concerns about his “hardline” image during the party leadership race, particularly from reformist and pro-Han Dong-hoon lawmakers, he is now being credited with fostering internal cohesion. Referring to the PPP’s lawmakers as “107 warriors,” Jang has repeatedly emphasized solidarity.

At a national women’s local councilors’ workshop on Wednesday, he said, “We may only have 107 lawmakers, but thanks to those of you fighting on the frontlines, there is still hope for our country.” He plans to host a “Lifetime Party Members Dialogue” on October 24 to gather feedback on the party’s future direction.

Observers say Jang’s emphasis on unity and policy competence reflects a bid to strengthen the PPP’s competitiveness against the powerful ruling bloc. With the 2026 local elections less than a year away, his leadership will be tested — and defeat could jeopardize his position as party leader.

Rep. Kim Jae-seop, a reformist within the PPP, said on YTN Radio’s Kim Jun-woo’s News Frontline, “Chairman Jang is fully focused on leading the party to victory in next year’s elections — that’s his top priority.”