People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok said Sunday that the public wants a full re-election — including in Seoul — in response to the ballot shortage that disrupted voting in the capital and other areas during the June 3 local elections.
Asked whether he should step down following the party's crushing defeat at the polls, Jang deflected, saying those raising the question of his future should "go to Olympic Park" and that linking the issue to his position was entirely inappropriate.
Speaking at a press conference at the National Assembly, Jang said the public's anger could never be quelled if the situation were quietly papered over with a parliamentary investigation, a special prosecutor handpicked by the ruling party, or the replacement of a few election commission officials. "The people want a re-election," he said.
He added that citizens rallying at Olympic Park — and the majority of the public watching from home — were demanding that the flawed election be corrected once and for all.
"This is not a problem confined to one or two places, and it is not something we can carve out just because the People Power Party won in certain districts," Jang said. "Whether to hold a re-election is no longer a question parties can decide based on their own political interests." He called for a full re-election covering Seoul and all affected areas.
On the crowds gathered outside the vote-counting center at Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Jang said: "Who dares call these people 'protesters'? Who dares call this situation 'unrest'? This is an orderly civic resistance movement." He added that Olympic Park had already become "a sacred ground for democracy."
Jang also called for an immediate meeting with President Lee Jae-myung. "This cannot be allowed to pass as it stands. I demand an immediate meeting with President Lee — today, Sunday, if necessary, in any format," he said. "If he irresponsibly sets off on an overseas trip while all these issues remain unresolved, he will face even greater resistance from the public."
Turning to Democratic Party of Korea leader Jung Chung-rae, Jang called for the immediate formation of a special parliamentary investigation committee and the swift launch of a special prosecutor. "The National Assembly must fulfill its duty in uncovering the truth and holding those responsible accountable," he said. "It must not dodge responsibility by hiding behind the excuse that forming the Assembly's standing committees comes first. Many citizens already believe Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party and the election commission are all complicit in bringing about this crisis."
When pressed on whether his criticism of the election irregularities was an attempt to sidestep calls for him to take responsibility for the party's defeat, Jang repeated his suggestion that those raising the question go to Olympic Park. "Look at what matters to us right now, where we need to focus at this moment — whether we should be consumed by internal party affairs or fighting alongside the people," he said. "If what the public is demanding is that we fight together with them, then tying this to my own future is entirely inappropriate."
dlcw@heraldcorp.com
