According to the report, Jang spoke in a deliberately hard tone at a leadership meeting about criteria for party-damaging acts and a no-return principle. He named no one, but insiders read it as aimed at recent defectors.

Under party rules, re-admission passes through provincial and central review; institutionalizing a permanent ban requires amending regulations, which the leadership is expected to begin soon.

Views inside the party split between those who see it as needed discipline and those who caution it shuts the door on unity and outreach.

Given how often defection and return have recurred in Korean party history, whether the principle holds is uncertain; the next convention and nomination season will be the test.

Sinophone Bridge Times reports the issue through the balance between party discipline and democratic openness.