Jang Dong-hyeok, floor leader of the People Power Party, criticized the President, the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), and the National Election Commission (NEC) on the 10th, calling them "effectively a single entity and a massive cartel that is eroding South Korea's democracy."

Floor leader Jang attended the 'National Parents' Debate on the June 3 Infringement of Suffrage,' hosted by the party's Central Women's Committee and the 'Mom-Friendly' Special Committee at the National Assembly. During the event, he remarked, "The President and the Democratic Party are thoroughly shielding the irresponsible and arrogant NEC," and added the aforementioned criticism.

He pointed out, "When the NEC hiring corruption scandal was exposed, it was the Democratic Party that obstructed the National Assembly's investigation and blocked audits by the Board of Audit and Inspection. It is also the Democratic Party that is attempting to turn the commission into an unchecked, absolute power by proposing an absurd law that mandates a 10-year prison sentence for anyone who criticizes the NEC."

Regarding the DPK's proposal for a special counsel bill on the NEC, he emphasized, "They initially claimed they would accept a special counsel, yet they are now insisting on one recommended by a third party. They are also trying to limit the scope of the investigation solely to the recent local elections," adding, "Under those conditions, no truth can be properly uncovered."

He continued, "Shouldn't a special counsel be allowed to investigate without limitations, including the President, the Democratic Party, and past elections? To ensure that, the People Power Party must be the one to recommend the special counsel," asserting, "The People Power Party will do its utmost to create a 'true people's special counsel.'"

Representative Yoon Sang-hyun, chairman of the National Assembly's Special Committee on the Investigation of the Ballot Shortage Incident, stated, "The President and the government are interested parties. It makes no sense for interested parties to recommend a special counsel," adding, "A special counsel recommended by the opposition party, which has no stake in the matter, is the correct approach. We will ensure we secure an opposition-recommended special counsel."

Supreme Council member Kim Min-soo addressed the parents attending the debate, emphasizing, "A mother's heart is not focused on politics. It is focused solely on creating a good country and a nation where children can nurture their dreams." He urged, "I hope the public will stand with us."

The debate was attended by the party's leadership, including Floor Leader Jang, Supreme Council member Kim, Secretary-General Jeong Hee-yong, Chief Deputy Floor Leader Kim Mi-ae, and Chief of Staff to the Party Leader Park Jun-tae, as well as Representative Yoon, four-term Representative Park Dae-chul (Chairman of the Party's NEC Reform Special Committee), Representatives Kim Min-jeon and Seo Myung-ok, and approximately 20 parents.

People Power Party, National Parents' Debate on the June 3 Infringement of Suffrage [Seoul=Yonhap News]