From hospital bed, Jang cited acquittal in 'salmon party' case; warned impeachment awaits Lee if prosecution withdrawal stands

[Yonhap]
[Yonhap]

People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok was discharged from hospital Wednesday and returned to party duties, a week after being admitted June 18 due to deteriorating health. Even from his hospital bed, Jang had been calling for the resumption of trials involving President Lee Jae Myung, and he is expected to intensify that pressure campaign now that he is back.

The day before his discharge, Jang posted on Facebook in response to a court ruling that testimony given by former Gyeonggi Province deputy governor for peace Lee Hwa-young — alleging what became known as the "salmon party" — was false. "If you don't want to see a second fabricated 'salmon party' provocation, there is only one answer," Jang wrote, "and that is the resumption of Lee Jae Myung's trial."

He went further, saying Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho should be impeached immediately and held accountable, and warning that "if President Lee Jae Myung does not abandon the withdrawal of charges, the only path left for him is impeachment."

The PPP has been sharpening its offensive by using the acquittal in the "salmon party" case to underscore what it calls the need to resume trials connected to President Lee.

Rep. Ju Jin-woo, chair of the PPP's special committee to block the dismissal of charges against Lee Jae Myung, visited the Ministry of Justice in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, on Wednesday morning and submitted a public petition demanding the reversal of disciplinary action against prosecutor Park Sang-yong. Park received a two-month suspension after being identified as the subject of misconduct allegations — including providing outside food to a suspect — in connection with the "salmon party" claims raised by the former deputy governor.

"It has already been laid bare for all to see that Lee Hwa-young's salmon party claims were lies and fabrications," Ju said. "There are signs of further contrived disciplinary action being prepared, and that must not happen."

Meanwhile, internal party debate over Jang's future — which had quieted during his hospitalization — is expected to resume. Jang has maintained throughout that he has no intention of stepping down voluntarily.

During his hospitalization, the party released a press statement analyzing the results of the ninth nationwide local elections and the June 3 National Assembly by-elections, which credited Jang with having "devoted himself wholeheartedly to securing victories for candidates across all 16 cities and provinces." The release sparked controversy.

With the question of Jang's future still unresolved, floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik distanced himself from the document when it became public, saying it had been released without consulting the leadership. Chief spokesperson Park Sung-hoon said the previous day that Jeong "expressed regret over the procedural problem of a press release issued in the party's name being distributed without consulting the supreme council members and the floor leader" — remarks made in a closed-door meeting.

Whether Jang, now back at the helm, will move to reshuffle the second-term leadership and reset the party's atmosphere is also drawing attention. A reorganization of key party posts, including the secretary-general, is being discussed as a possibility. However, chief of staff Park Jun-tae said the matter had "never been reviewed at the working level."


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