![Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party (center), speaks at a news conference at the National Assembly on May 5, sharply criticizing the ruling bloc’s push for a special prosecutor to probe alleged fabricated investigations and indictments. [Photo: Yonhap]](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2026/05/05/20260505111522850721.jpg)
Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party (center), speaks at a news conference at the National Assembly on May 5, sharply criticizing the ruling bloc’s push for a special prosecutor to probe alleged fabricated investigations and indictments. [Photo: Yonhap]
Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party, said May 5 that President Lee Jae-myung was writing a “dictatorship guidebook” that would be remembered in world history.
Speaking at a news conference at the National Assembly, Jang said Lee had not only adopted “every method” used by dictators to control the judiciary, but was now seeking to appoint a special prosecutor to “erase” alleged crimes.
Jang also criticized Lee’s call for public input and deliberation on a special prosecutor bill aimed at uncovering alleged “fabricated investigations and indictments” under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration. Jang said it amounted to trying to cancel indictments while merely delaying the timing, adding, “Even after the local elections, something unconstitutional does not become constitutional.”
A bill introduced by the Democratic Party on April 30 would allow a special prosecutor to withdraw indictments in related cases. The People Power Party and the minor Reform Party, among other opposition forces, have strongly opposed the bill, saying it infringes on judicial independence and threatens the separation of powers.
Jang said those involved would face heavier punishment if “illegal and unconstitutional” indictment withdrawals were later added. He urged voters to cast their ballots properly in the local elections, calling it the way to stop an “Lee Jae-myung bomb.”
With the June 3 local elections and National Assembly by-elections approaching, Jang also stepped up election-related criticism. He cited a joint police-prosecutor task force’s decision not to prosecute Democratic Party Busan mayoral candidate Jeon Jae-su over allegations of receiving money from the Unification Church; police decisions not to forward a case involving Democratic Party South Chungcheong gubernatorial candidate Park Soo-hyun and allegations tied to the UN-Habitat Korea Committee; and prosecutors’ decision to clear suspects in the “money envelope” case involving the Democratic Party’s national convention.
“Police and prosecutors have become a pardon mill for the Democratic Party,” Jang said.
Addressing claims that his party’s approval ratings were low, Jang said local elections depend more on regional support and trends than national numbers, and said it was hard to accept conclusions based on a single phrase such as “low approval ratings.” Asked about nominating Chung Jin-suk, a former presidential chief of staff, in a by-election or forming an election alliance with other opposition forces, Jang gave a general response, saying he would support his party’s candidates so they can win.
Speaking at a news conference at the National Assembly, Jang said Lee had not only adopted “every method” used by dictators to control the judiciary, but was now seeking to appoint a special prosecutor to “erase” alleged crimes.
Jang also criticized Lee’s call for public input and deliberation on a special prosecutor bill aimed at uncovering alleged “fabricated investigations and indictments” under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration. Jang said it amounted to trying to cancel indictments while merely delaying the timing, adding, “Even after the local elections, something unconstitutional does not become constitutional.”
A bill introduced by the Democratic Party on April 30 would allow a special prosecutor to withdraw indictments in related cases. The People Power Party and the minor Reform Party, among other opposition forces, have strongly opposed the bill, saying it infringes on judicial independence and threatens the separation of powers.
Jang said those involved would face heavier punishment if “illegal and unconstitutional” indictment withdrawals were later added. He urged voters to cast their ballots properly in the local elections, calling it the way to stop an “Lee Jae-myung bomb.”
With the June 3 local elections and National Assembly by-elections approaching, Jang also stepped up election-related criticism. He cited a joint police-prosecutor task force’s decision not to prosecute Democratic Party Busan mayoral candidate Jeon Jae-su over allegations of receiving money from the Unification Church; police decisions not to forward a case involving Democratic Party South Chungcheong gubernatorial candidate Park Soo-hyun and allegations tied to the UN-Habitat Korea Committee; and prosecutors’ decision to clear suspects in the “money envelope” case involving the Democratic Party’s national convention.
“Police and prosecutors have become a pardon mill for the Democratic Party,” Jang said.
Addressing claims that his party’s approval ratings were low, Jang said local elections depend more on regional support and trends than national numbers, and said it was hard to accept conclusions based on a single phrase such as “low approval ratings.” Asked about nominating Chung Jin-suk, a former presidential chief of staff, in a by-election or forming an election alliance with other opposition forces, Jang gave a general response, saying he would support his party’s candidates so they can win.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.