Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, speaks at a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly on June 8. [Photo: Yonhap News]
Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, asserted on June 8 that the party should lead the national investigation and special prosecutor's probe regarding the recent ballot shortage crisis.
During a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly, Jang stated, "From the chairmanship of the national investigation committee to the selection of witnesses, it must be led by the People Power Party to produce results that the public can accept."
He criticized President Lee Jae-myung's directive to establish a joint investigation team of police and prosecutors, calling it a ploy to undermine the national investigation and evade a special prosecutor. Jang argued that once the investigation begins, witnesses and informants summoned by the national investigation committee may avoid answering questions related to ongoing investigations.
"The moment the joint investigation is mentioned, it is as if the president's investigative guidelines have been issued," he said, emphasizing the need for a special prosecutor recommended by the People Power Party to conduct the investigation. He added, "The special prosecutor takes precedence over the national investigation, and the by-elections come before the special prosecutor."
In related developments, the People Power Party prepared a request for a national investigation to be submitted to the National Assembly later that morning and plans to propose a special prosecutor bill. The Democratic Party of Korea also intends to submit its own request for a national investigation on the same day, indicating that both parties will present their respective demands.
During the meeting, discussions also addressed economic issues, including the exchange rate and inflation. Jang highlighted that the won-dollar exchange rate exceeded 1,560 won during trading and that the consumer price index rose by 3.1% last month, the highest increase in 26 months. He criticized, "With the elections approaching and money being distributed, if the oil price subsidies run out, it is hard to imagine how much prices will rise further."
He added, "Despite this comprehensive economic crisis, the president clings to leftist economic policies and is instead initiating a basic economic plan reminiscent of Lee Jae-myung. The urgent task is not a basic economy but to lower prices, stabilize the exchange rate, and create jobs for young people."
Additionally, Jang called for the immediate dismissal of Fair Trade Commission Chairman Joo Byeong-ki for violating the political neutrality obligation of public officials. Joo had previously posted on Facebook about the results of the Seoul mayoral election, stating, "It is bitter that the exercise of citizens' rights aligns with the order of money," and questioned whether it was blind faith that would not mind inciting a rebellion, before deleting the post amid controversy.
During a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly, Jang stated, "From the chairmanship of the national investigation committee to the selection of witnesses, it must be led by the People Power Party to produce results that the public can accept."
He criticized President Lee Jae-myung's directive to establish a joint investigation team of police and prosecutors, calling it a ploy to undermine the national investigation and evade a special prosecutor. Jang argued that once the investigation begins, witnesses and informants summoned by the national investigation committee may avoid answering questions related to ongoing investigations.
"The moment the joint investigation is mentioned, it is as if the president's investigative guidelines have been issued," he said, emphasizing the need for a special prosecutor recommended by the People Power Party to conduct the investigation. He added, "The special prosecutor takes precedence over the national investigation, and the by-elections come before the special prosecutor."
In related developments, the People Power Party prepared a request for a national investigation to be submitted to the National Assembly later that morning and plans to propose a special prosecutor bill. The Democratic Party of Korea also intends to submit its own request for a national investigation on the same day, indicating that both parties will present their respective demands.
During the meeting, discussions also addressed economic issues, including the exchange rate and inflation. Jang highlighted that the won-dollar exchange rate exceeded 1,560 won during trading and that the consumer price index rose by 3.1% last month, the highest increase in 26 months. He criticized, "With the elections approaching and money being distributed, if the oil price subsidies run out, it is hard to imagine how much prices will rise further."
He added, "Despite this comprehensive economic crisis, the president clings to leftist economic policies and is instead initiating a basic economic plan reminiscent of Lee Jae-myung. The urgent task is not a basic economy but to lower prices, stabilize the exchange rate, and create jobs for young people."
Additionally, Jang called for the immediate dismissal of Fair Trade Commission Chairman Joo Byeong-ki for violating the political neutrality obligation of public officials. Joo had previously posted on Facebook about the results of the Seoul mayoral election, stating, "It is bitter that the exercise of citizens' rights aligns with the order of money," and questioned whether it was blind faith that would not mind inciting a rebellion, before deleting the post amid controversy.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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