Jang Dong-hyuk Calls for Special Law Amid Election Re-run Push

Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, on June 18 called for the introduction of a special law to address the shortage of ballots during the June 3 local elections and to push for a re-run of the elections.

During a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, Jang stated, "Yesterday, our party submitted election complaints for 11 regions, including seven directly from the party and four from regional candidates."

He added, "A special committee for a national investigation led by the People Power Party will also be established. Now it is time for a special investigation. In the last presidential election, ballots from previous general and local elections were found. We do not know how many ballots may be missing in this election as well."

Jang pointed out, "We have confirmed voters who received numbers but were unable to vote. The number of voters who gave up voting without even receiving a number is likely uncountable," emphasizing that the person most responsible among those who caused this situation is the powerful figure at the National Election Commission, the only standing commissioner, Wi Cheol-hwan.

He criticized, "The person who should be investigated is currently serving as the acting chairman of the election commission. Because he is a close associate of Lee Jae-myung, the joint investigation team cannot take action against him. In this situation, how can we trust the joint investigation team to conduct a fair investigation?"

Jang stressed the need for a special prosecutor recommended by the People Power Party to uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable, stating, "Only then can we produce results that the public can accept."

Regarding the issue of conducting a re-election, he argued, "We cannot leave this matter solely to complaints and trials. If problems are discovered through a national investigation and special prosecution, it will be too late to take action then. We need to introduce a special law to resolve this politically."

Additionally, he invited Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party, to discuss election reform, saying, "Any format or agenda is fine. Let’s meet and discuss it." He concluded, "The People Power Party will dedicate all its efforts to thoroughly uncover the truth behind this disenfranchisement incident and to create an election system that the public can trust."