Journalist

Lee da hui
  • People Power Party to Oppose Special Prosecutor Law on Election Manipulation
    People Power Party to Oppose Special Prosecutor Law on Election Manipulation People Power Party officials announced on May 19 that they will work to block the ruling party's proposed special prosecutor law aimed at canceling the indictment of President Lee Jae-myung, which they claim was temporarily halted ahead of local elections but will be pursued immediately afterward. They also criticized the Supreme Prosecutors' Office for seeking severe disciplinary action against Prosecutor Park Sang-yong.Joo Jin-woo, chairman of the special committee to oppose the indictment cancellation law, held the committee's first meeting at the National Assembly and stated, "With inflation, exchange rates, and livelihoods in such dire straits, how can the top priority of the government be to eliminate its own trial?"Regarding reports that Prosecutor Park, who was involved in the investigation of the Ssangbangwool North Korea remittance case, would face severe disciplinary action, Joo criticized, "They are going beyond absurd claims of disciplining him for something trivial, and now they are saying they will impose severe penalties because a document was omitted during the investigation process. This is nonsensical."He added, "The investigation process confirmation document is merely an administrative formality, and there has never been a case where it has been used as a basis for disciplinary action since its introduction. The investigation and trial records related to the president's North Korea remittance case amount to hundreds of thousands of pages, so how can anyone accept that a few missing documents warrant disciplinary action?"Joo continued, "If other documents were properly prepared and the investigation was conducted correctly, doesn't that validate the legitimacy of this investigation?"He emphasized that if Prosecutor Park is disciplined, they will respond to ensure that the disciplinary decision is revoked at the committee level, stating, "The moment they discipline Park, he will return to the prosecution by court decision, marking the beginning of the lame duck period for the Lee Jae-myung administration."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-19 12:42:33
  • Voters in Jeonnam and Gwangju Express Support for Min Hyung-bae Amid Calls for Checks on Democratic Party Dominance
    Voters in Jeonnam and Gwangju Express Support for Min Hyung-bae Amid Calls for Checks on Democratic Party Dominance In the Democratic Party's stronghold of Jeonnam and Gwangju, support for the party's candidate, Min Hyung-bae, is overwhelming. However, there are also signs of a push to elect candidates from the People Power Party to counter the party's dominance. Opinions on the administrative merger of Jeonnam and Gwangju lean more negative than positive.Aju Economy visited Gwangju and Suncheon on May 18 to gauge voter sentiment ahead of the June 3 local elections, which will see the election of the first integrated mayor of Jeonnam-Gwangju after 40 years. Five candidates have declared their intention to run: Min Hyung-bae from the Democratic Party, Lee Jeong-hyeon from the People Power Party, Lee Jong-wook from the Progressive Party, Kang Eun-mi from the Justice Party, and independent candidate Kim Kwang-man.Many citizens expressed their intention to vote for Min as the first integrated mayor. Park Young-taek, 71, met at Yangdong Market, stated, "I have always supported the Democratic Party and believe Min Hyung-bae would be a much better mayor than Lee Jeong-hyeon." Kim, a 25-year-old graduate student at Suncheon University, also expressed support for Min, saying, "He is the only incumbent lawmaker from Gwangju, possessing both expertise and political skills."Conversely, criticism of Lee Jeong-hyeon was noted, with one voter recalling his appearance on YouTube where he referred to the pro-Yoon Seok-youl faction as "hidden heroes, you are Yi Sun-sin," and defended the December 3 emergency martial law, stating, "He has proven himself unfit for the mayoral position."However, among voters in their 20s and 30s, there were calls for a 'punishment vote' against the long-standing dominance of the Democratic Party. Kwon, a 27-year-old intern in Gwangju, remarked, "If the Democratic Party continues to win every year, I wonder what development will occur in Honam. I believe their monopoly is harmful to Gwangju, so I support Lee Jeong-hyeon." Another voter, Lee, 30, who works at a sports center, stated, "The Democratic Party candidate will likely win anyway. Honam will not change, so I will vote for the People Power Party to provide some checks."Kang, a 21-year-old political science student at Jeonnam University, mentioned, "I am a member of the Democratic Party but am considering voting for the People Power Party as a punishment vote. The Democratic Party has been in power, yet nothing has changed in Gwangju." A 24-year-old college student added, "While the Democratic Party has significant support, there seems to be a growing disconnect among young voters. Parties like the Justice Party and Basic Income Party seem to position themselves as the Democratic Party's backup, so even though I dislike the People Power Party, I might vote for them this time."Criticism of the People Power Party included remarks about their failure to distance themselves from the pro-Yoon faction, with one voter stating, "It is shameless for them to come to Gwangju without having severed ties with that group. Their leader seems inexperienced in politics, often sending the wrong messages, and it appears they are only focused on protecting their own constituencies."Regarding the Jeonnam-Gwangju administrative merger, negative sentiments prevailed. Kang criticized the rushed process, saying, "They merged without even determining how to delineate the electoral districts for local governments. They promised public hearings, but the city councilors seemed to have already made decisions and just informed us, which is frustrating." Another voter echoed this sentiment, stating, "It felt like a hasty decision made under pressure from the president. Was this merger really necessary?"On the other hand, some citizens expressed optimism. Yoon, a 24-year-old job seeker, said, "As this is the first integrated mayor of Jeonnam-Gwangju, I am hopeful. If Gwangju and Jeonnam work together, there could be synergies in transportation, culture, and job creation. I hope the new mayor focuses on balanced regional development." Park also emphasized the importance of unity, stating, "There are population issues, and since Jeonnam and Gwangju were once one, we need to integrate again to create a new vision."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-18 22:38:40
  • Jang Dong-hyuk Attends 5·18 Memorial Ceremony for First Time as Party Leader
    Jang Dong-hyuk Attends 5·18 Memorial Ceremony for First Time as Party Leader Jang Dong-hyuk, the leader of the People Power Party, will attend the 5·18 Democracy Movement memorial ceremony for the first time since taking office. Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae is also expected to attend, marking a potential meeting of the two party leaders.According to the People Power Party on May 15, Jang and the party leadership plan to participate in the 46th anniversary memorial ceremony at the 5·18 Democracy Square in Gwangju on May 18.The party stated that Jang's attendance is intended to honor the spirit of the 5·18 movement. A key party official emphasized that attending the ceremony signifies respect for the noble sacrifices of the martyrs and the need to heal various wounds and conflicts in society across generations.The official added, "I hope this is not interpreted as a political move to win votes during the election period. I don’t believe that attending the 5·18 event will change the atmosphere, just as visiting the National Cemetery for the Korean War memorial does not change anything. It is appropriate to attend the 5·18 memorial ceremony as well."This will be Jang's second visit to Gwangju since November of last year. In that visit, Jang and the party leadership attempted to pay respects at the National 5·18 Democracy Cemetery but were blocked by citizens.Meanwhile, Jeong plans to attend the pre-event for the 5·18 People's Uprising memorial on May 17 and will continue with a visit to the National 5·18 Democracy Cemetery the following day. This suggests that both party leaders will attend the memorial ceremony together.At last year's 5·18 Democracy Movement memorial ceremony, presidential candidates Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party, and Kwon Young-guk of the Democratic Labor Party were present. Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party candidate, visited the 5·18 cemetery the day before but did not attend the ceremony.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-16 00:31:35
  • Song Eon-seok Campaigns for Lee Jang-woo in Daejeon to Target Chungcheong Voters
    Song Eon-seok Campaigns for Lee Jang-woo in Daejeon to Target Chungcheong Voters Song Eon-seok, co-chair of the People Power Party's election campaign committee, visited Buyeo and Daejeon on May 15 to rally support in the Chungcheong region. He urged voters to back the party's candidates while emphasizing the need to check the government of President Lee Jae-myung.In the morning, Song attended the opening of the campaign office for Buyeo county mayoral candidate Lee Yong-woo, where he also expressed support for Yoon Yong-geun, a candidate in the upcoming by-election for the National Assembly representing Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang.Regarding Lee, who is seeking a third term as Buyeo county mayor, Song stated, "He has already served for eight years and knows Buyeo better than anyone else, making him a well-prepared candidate." He criticized the opposition candidate, saying, "The opposing candidate has a criminal record and has been fined twice, while our candidate is clean."He described Yoon as "our hope who has strongly resisted the dismantling of the prosecution and fought alongside us," adding that if elected, he would have the capability to hold the current Minister of Justice accountable in the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee.In the afternoon, Song shifted his focus to Daejeon, where he supported mayoral candidate Lee Jang-woo. He launched an attack on the previous Democratic Party mayor, Heo Tae-jeong, criticizing the ruling party's push for a special investigation into the cancellation of charges."The competence of this mayor and the incompetence of the former Democratic mayor are clearly reflected in the numbers," Song said, noting that Daejeon's city brand reputation, which was among the lowest in the nation during Heo's tenure, has risen to first place under Lee's leadership. He added, "We must continue to accelerate this positive change and development. The choice is simple: a capable mayor or an incompetent one."He also challenged Heo, stating, "He has not properly explained the reason for his toe amputation, and I suspect it was for evading military service. How can we entrust the governance of Daejeon to someone who cannot even remember why his toe was amputated?"Regarding the ruling party's proposed special investigation law, he warned, "I believe President Lee Jae-myung will push it through after this election. He is trying to erase his crimes through a special prosecutor he appointed, but he is not a king. I urge the citizens of Daejeon to show how powerful public sentiment can be."Lee Jang-woo, the Daejeon mayoral candidate, stated, "This election is a judgment on the incompetence, irresponsibility, and lack of plans of the Heo Tae-jeong administration. We will decisively hold accountable the ineffective administration of the seventh term and ensure a clear vision for Daejeon's future."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 23:22:14
  • Calls for Candidate Unification in Busan North District Amid Tensions
    Calls for Candidate Unification in Busan North District Amid Tensions Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, dismissed calls for candidate unification in the Busan North District by-election on May 15, stating, "It is not the behavior of a general preparing for battle to discuss unification before candidate registration is even complete." His comments come amid demands for unification between Park Min-sik, the party's candidate, and independent candidate Han Dong-hoon.In a post on Facebook, Jang emphasized that "a mere calculation of votes does not align with conservative values." He asserted, "The People Power Party must win this local election, as we are the last bastion protecting South Korea's liberal democracy and the lives of our citizens. However, victory cannot be the sole objective. It cannot be the path to unification or victory itself."He added, "Candidates nominated by the party must remember this. The issue of unification should follow the will of the party members and the party. If any conditions are attached to unification, it must be left to the party's decision in accordance with the members' wishes."Earlier, Jin Jong-oh, a lawmaker aligned with Han Dong-hoon, urged the party leadership to pursue unification among opposition candidates in Busan North District. Jin stated on Facebook, "Unification is the only way to initiate conservative integration and rebuilding, responding to the demands of the public. If we stubbornly cling to meaningless competition without addressing the public's needs, we will inevitably be rejected by the people."He pointed out that recent polls indicate about 65% of conservative voters in Busan North District support unification, yet the party leadership is ignoring this. Jin argued that unification is not a choice for a specific individual but a minimal responsibility to consolidate supporters' wishes and reduce political confusion.He insisted, "We must start the first step toward a new conservatism in Busan North District to halt the reckless governance of the Lee Jae-myung administration. What is needed now is not silence but a decisive action. I urge the party leadership to actively pursue unification for conservative integration and rebuilding."Tensions regarding candidate unification continue within and outside the party. Party member Cho Kwang-han stated on YTN Radio the previous day, "Han should yield to Park and quickly return to Seoul; that is the right answer." He suggested that if Han were to withdraw from the race to unify with Park, he would consider reinstating Han's party membership positively.In response, former party member Kim Jong-hyuk remarked, "It seems the Yoon Again faction is flustered by Han's surprising performance in a three-way race in North District. After this local election, regardless of the outcome, the Yoon Again faction will politically collapse." He added, addressing Cho, "The one leading that collapse should be more concerned about their own future after the local elections rather than who to reinstate."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 14:49:53
  • Jang Dong-hyuk Criticizes Jung Won-os Housing Policy and Past Assault Case
    Jang Dong-hyuk Criticizes Jung Won-o's Housing Policy and Past Assault Case Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, launched an attack on Jung Won-o, the Democratic Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, on May 15, addressing his housing policies and a past assault incident. Jang criticized Jung, stating, "Following Lee Jae-myung's intentions is the priority, while Seoul citizens are left behind." During a meeting of the Central Election Countermeasure Committee at the National Assembly, Jang warned, "If Jung Won-o becomes mayor, a tax bomb will drop, and 'Hell Seoul' will open up." He expressed concern that Lee Jae-myung's housing policies seem to be a continuation of the Moon Jae-in era, but added, "The new Lee Jae-myung is even worse." He noted that housing prices in Seoul, including Gangnam, have skyrocketed, and the abolition of the capital gains tax has drastically reduced available listings. Jang pointed out, "With rental properties so scarce, we are seeing 'no-look' contracts where payments are made without viewing the homes first," and mentioned that monthly rents have surged, with some reaching 3 million won even in northern Seoul. He remarked, "Ordinary citizens, whose loans have been cut off, are now spending their entire salaries on rent," and criticized Lee Jae-myung for shifting to silence after previously pressuring the real estate market, stating, "The government seems to have no further measures in sight." Jang also criticized Jung for proposing a property tax reduction for retirees with no substantial plans for housing policies to assist young people who are delaying marriage. He questioned whether the development approach is effective, saying, "Is it a steady development or a gradual one? The supply policy is inadequate." He added, "There has been no stance on increasing property taxes or abolishing long-term holding special deductions," emphasizing that the only mayor who protects homes and assets is Oh Se-hoon from the People Power Party. Regarding Jung's past assault controversy, Jang stated, "His explanations only seem to fuel public anger rather than clarify the situation," and pointed out that the minutes from council meetings show that the then-district mayor did not respond at all to inquiries. He questioned the validity of bringing in unusual individuals to stir public outrage, stating, "He cannot address his campaign promises or clarify allegations and keeps passing them off to substitutes." He concluded, "Broken things tend to leak everywhere," asserting that this local election is about ousting underqualified Democratic candidates.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 10:34:25
  • Song Eon-seok Criticizes President Lee for Election Interference During Market Visits
    Song Eon-seok Criticizes President Lee for Election Interference During Market Visits Song Eon-seok, co-chair of the People Power Party's election campaign committee, criticized President Lee Jae-myung on May 15 for his frequent visits to traditional markets, calling it "blatant election interference." In a Facebook post, Song stated, "The president is not just crossing the line of election interference; he is actively campaigning." He noted that after attending a K-Shipbuilding meeting in Ulsan, President Lee visited the Namnok Market in Ulsan and then the Moran Market in Seongnam after a meeting at the Saemaul Undong Central Association. He added that last Friday, the president visited the Namdaemun Market following a Parents' Day ceremony, claiming, "He is now conducting open campaign tours of traditional markets every day." Song emphasized that the Moran Market is politically significant for President Lee, as it is his political hometown, and the candidate for Seongnam mayor, Kim Byeong-wook, is a former senior secretary at the Blue House. He argued that the choice of location is suspicious, stating, "While past presidents have faced allegations of election interference, none have campaigned directly in traditional markets every day just 20 days before an election." He recalled that in March 2016, when then-President Park Geun-hye visited innovation centers in Daegu and Busan, the Democratic Party vehemently criticized her for election interference, despite her actions being part of her official duties. "The Democratic Party condemned her for visiting regions, labeling it election interference, while President Lee is not even visiting traditional markets, yet he is campaigning openly," Song remarked. He concluded by stating, "If the president continues this campaign, the People Power Party will take immediate legal action against his blatant electioneering." Jeong Hee-yong, head of the election campaign headquarters, also targeted President Lee, questioning, "Is the obligation of political neutrality and concerns over election interference a selective principle that disappears when the regime changes?" He criticized the president for leading the push for a so-called 'special prosecutor for the cancellation of charges' amid constitutional controversies, suggesting that such behavior reflects a selective interpretation of laws and principles. Jeong added, "The public does not trust a power that is strict with others but lenient with itself. I urge the president to reflect on the weight of his past words and at least adhere to the standards he has set for himself."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-15 09:07:09
  • Oh Se-hoon Proposes Debate with Jung Won-o Ahead of Local Elections
    Oh Se-hoon Proposes Debate with Jung Won-o Ahead of Local Elections Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor, reiterated his call for a one-on-one debate with Jung Won-o, the Democratic Party's candidate, on May 14, just six days before the local elections. Oh suggested that Democratic Party leader Jung Cheong-rae could moderate the debate, stating, "I hope at least one or two debates can be held." Speaking at a forum hosted by the Korean Newspaper and Broadcasting Editors Association in central Seoul, Oh said, "I am open to any format, time, place, or topic for the debate." He expressed frustration, saying, "Whenever I propose a debate, Jung gives evasive answers. Considering the public's right to know, I hope he reconsiders and shows at least a minimum level of courtesy." Oh emphasized the significance of the upcoming election, stating, "This election is a crossroads for whether the Lee Jae-myung administration will adopt a humble approach or transition into a more overt form of soft dictatorship. Absolute power corrupts absolutely; this is a historical truth." He warned that if Democratic Party candidates win in major local governments like Seoul and Busan, the current soft dictatorship under President Lee Jae-myung could become more severe. "I hope a minimum foothold for checking the government can be secured," he added. Oh also highlighted the choice between returning to the past of former Mayor Park Won-soon or moving toward the future. He pointed out that during Park's ten-year tenure, 389 redevelopment and reconstruction projects were canceled, leading to a significant reduction in housing supply and contributing to the current real estate crisis. He noted, "The people who implemented those policies are still within the Democratic Party and have joined Jung's campaign. Now that the election is approaching, they promise to increase housing supply and expedite projects, but there is a high likelihood they will revert to their old ways without reflection." Regarding electoral cooperation with the leadership of Jang Dong-hyuk, Oh stated, "We have entered a phase where strategic role division between the central party and candidates is necessary." He remarked, "With only about three weeks left until the election, it is now the candidates' time. The party's role is secondary." He added, "Elections are filled with the candidates' brands, policies, pledges, and messages. If the central party can assist, it should focus on the electoral landscape, such as actively fighting against the recent special prosecution law on canceled indictments and promoting its negative impacts." On the recent controversy over the 'national dividend,' Oh stated, "The central party needs to address whether the distribution related to semiconductors is a desirable government stance for the nation's future and articulate a vision for a better future as the opposition party."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 20:25:09
  • Jang Dong-hyuk Criticizes National Dividend Proposal as Gangster Mentality
    Jang Dong-hyuk Criticizes National Dividend Proposal as Gangster Mentality Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, criticized the national dividend proposal mentioned by Kim Yong-beom, head of the Presidential Policy Office, stating, "The idea of taking money as if it were theirs while constantly obstructing is a typical gangster mentality." During a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly, Jang remarked, "Kim's national dividend is the true intention of Lee Jae-myung," adding, "Whether it’s excess profits or excess tax revenue, it’s not money earned by Lee Jae-myung." He continued, "The reality of a strike at Samsung Electronics, which could lead to losses in the tens of trillions of won, is approaching. Yet, Lee Jae-myung is only interested in collecting money," asserting that "Lee and the Democratic Party have no right to take advantage of this situation. While Samsung and SK Hynix are thriving now, just three to four years ago, they recorded massive losses due to a global semiconductor downturn." Jang further stated, "When our party pushed for the K-Chips Law to save the semiconductor industry, the Democratic Party vehemently opposed it, claiming it was a favor to conglomerates. If our party hadn't worked tirelessly to pass the K-Chips Law, we wouldn't be able to ride the current semiconductor supercycle." He also pointed out, "It’s not just semiconductors. The Democratic Party has always opposed future investments like nuclear power. If the Moon Jae-in administration's nuclear phase-out had succeeded, would we be experiencing the current semiconductor boom? They are still opposing the 52-hour workweek exception for semiconductor R&D." Jang criticized, "The money Lee Jae-myung is distributing to gain support and buy votes will ultimately become debt that future generations will have to repay," noting that "Lee's rapid increase in debt has pushed national liabilities over 1,300 trillion won. It’s not an exaggeration to call it a debt supercycle." He concluded, "If excess tax revenue arises, we must pay off debt first. We should not deceive the public with the absurd argument that fiscal austerity is populism. Instead of wasting time on the national dividend, I hope they focus on preventing the Samsung Electronics strike."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-14 11:26:48
  • People Power Party Launches Election Campaign in Ulsan, Targets Yeongnam Region
    People Power Party Launches Election Campaign in Ulsan, Targets Yeongnam Region People Power Party held a campaign launch event in Ulsan on May 11, aiming to secure votes in the Yeongnam region. The party called for overwhelming support for its Ulsan mayoral candidate Kim Du-gyeom and National Assembly candidate Kim Tae-kyu while also countering Democratic Party candidate Kim Sang-wook, who switched parties after leaving People Power Party.At the event, Jang Dong-hyuk, the party leader, stated, "This local election is a war to protect Ulsan and South Korea. I urge you to judge the forces that ignore the people and trample on the Constitution, which are destroying the roots of our nation, in this election."Jang criticized the current state of law enforcement and media, saying, "The prosecution has been dismantled, the police have become slaves to power, and now the media can no longer represent the people freely. The judiciary has also been seized. Now, they are even considering a special investigation to erase the president's crimes. This is unimaginable."He added, "If a special investigation to dismiss charges against the president passes, this will not be a country anymore. We must secure victory in Ulsan to resume Lee Jae-myung's trial and send him to prison."Jang praised Kim Du-gyeom, saying, "He has extensive political experience and administrative expertise. No matter how difficult it gets, he has stood by People Power Party and protected Ulsan."In contrast, he targeted Kim Sang-wook, stating, "Can someone who set fire to the boat they were on during a storm and escaped in a lifeboat be responsible for the citizens of Ulsan? Show with your votes what the price of betraying the citizens who elected you is in this election."Floor leader Song Eon-seok emphasized, "One must not forget their roots. It is unacceptable to spit on the party that nurtured you and the residents who elected you. Allowing such betrayal would tarnish the pride of Ulsan citizens."He expressed confidence in Kim Tae-kyu's victory, stating, "I believe the victory for Ulsan mayor is already secured. To restore the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information, and Broadcasting Committee, we need someone who is well-versed in that work."Jang Dong-hyuk and the party leadership are continuing their regional campaign schedule, having visited Busan and Daegu the previous day, and are now focusing on solidifying their support in conservative strongholds. Jang plans to expand his outreach by visiting the Chungnam and Gyeongbuk party offices on May 12.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-11 16:40:14