People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok [Yonhap]
People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok [Yonhap]

People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok on Thursday urged the immediate acceptance of a special prosecutor investigation into the ballot shortage crisis, warning that a continued refusal would trigger "revolutionary-level public resistance."

Speaking at a supreme council meeting at the National Assembly, Jang said the public does not trust what he called "Lee Jae-myung's ordered joint investigation headquarters," adding that "only a special prosecutor recommended by the People Power Party can uncover the full truth."

He also shrugged off calls from the ruling camp for constitutional reform to overhaul the National Election Commission, saying, "Raising constitutional reform now is only chasing after side benefits — this is not the time to be talking about it."

Jang said former NEC chairman Noh Tae-ak's response to questions about the ballot shortage was simply "I don't remember," and argued that "the only way to jog his memory is a special prosecutor to restore voting rights." He also took aim at acting NEC chairman Wi Cheol-hwan, who he said "shouted that he is not the president's dining friend," adding that only a special prosecutor investigation can determine whether the president bears responsibility.

Jang noted that 16 key witnesses had refused en masse to appear before a parliamentary investigation, only reluctantly showing their faces in the afternoon after a wave of public criticism. "They will not be able to hold out so arrogantly against a special prosecutor investigation," he said.

Citing a poll released Thursday showing that 85 percent of the public supports a special prosecutor, Jang warned that if the Democratic Party rejects one, it would amount to a confession that the NEC, Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party "are all in the same boat." He added that "refusing the special prosecutor will be the fuse that sinks the administration."

Jang had been hospitalized due to deteriorating health and was discharged Wednesday. Thursday's meeting was the first supreme council session he chaired upon his return.


husn7@heraldcorp.com