'It is politics' role to explain to citizens what happened'

Some within party warn approach could alienate moderate voters

People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok moves to protest a press conference by National Election Commission Special Prosecutor Lee Tae-han during the public verification of June 3 local election ballots at the handball arena in Olympic Park, Songpa-gu, Seoul, on Wednesday. [Yonhap]
People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok moves to protest a press conference by National Election Commission Special Prosecutor Lee Tae-han during the public verification of June 3 local election ballots at the handball arena in Olympic Park, Songpa-gu, Seoul, on Wednesday. [Yonhap]

People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok has continued visiting the protest site at Seoul's Olympic Park even after the public verification of June 3 local election ballots concluded, pressing for a full accounting of election fraud allegations. Jang maintains that questions raised during the verification process have not been adequately resolved, though some within the party warn that a focus on hard-line supporters could hinder efforts to broaden the PPP's appeal to moderate voters.

According to political sources, Jang observed the special prosecutor's public ballot verification on Wednesday, then visited the Olympic Park protest site on Thursday. The visits signal that Jang intends to keep demanding answers even after the National Election Commission special prosecutor team completed its public review of the ballots on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday after visiting the birthplace of former President Park Chung-hee in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, Jang said the verification had not been broadcast live despite demands for it to be. "All those citizens have no idea what actually happened," Jang said.

"I am outraged that the ballots were removed without any explanation," Jang added, expressing disappointment that the special prosecutor team had moved the ballots without offering any account of its actions.

The special prosecutor team removed all 2.47 million ballots the day after completing the public verification on Wednesday — 146 days after the ballots had been transported to the Olympic Park handball arena. During the verification, questions were raised about roughly 700 ballots said to require further examination.

Jang said there is an obligation to explain to citizens what occurred during the verification, what observers did, and how the removed ballots are being stored. "It is politics' role to explain what the public is worried about, and to seek understanding if there were mistakes or shortcomings," Jang said. "This issue is not over yet."

Jang also signaled a continued presence at the Olympic Park protest site. "I am simply going to where those people are and lending whatever small strength I have," Jang said. "No matter how few remain to fight — even if only one person is left — I will stand with them and contribute what little I can."

Within the party, however, concern is growing that Jang's approach could become a political liability. While the Olympic Park protest site has served as a rallying point against the government and a way to energize the base, some argue that now that a public verification has taken place, the party leader should focus on reaching out to moderate voters rather than continuing to press the fraud narrative.

The concern deepened when Jang adjusted official schedules to remain at the verification site. Jang's office abruptly canceled morning appointments on Thursday. Jang had originally planned to chair a supreme council meeting and then attend a memorial service marking the fourth anniversary of the Itaewon crowd crush, but rearranged the schedule after keeping an overnight vigil at the Olympic Park verification site from Wednesday.

Some within the party have also argued that the PPP should maintain a degree of distance from the election fraud allegations until the special prosecutor's investigation produces results, drawing a distinction between calling for answers and treating fraud as an established fact.

"It is time to step back from the election fraud narrative and wait for the special prosecutor's findings," one PPP lawmaker said. "Politics aimed only at hard-line supporters will not win a general election — what is needed is politics that can reach moderate voters."

Jang, however, pushed back on Thursday when asked whether stoking the election fraud narrative was a way to maintain a grip on the party leadership. "The very act of disparaging me — suggesting I have political motives for standing alongside citizens who want to protect their precious vote — is itself politically motivated," Jang said.


mp1256@heraldcorp.com