Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, appealed to voters to participate in the upcoming local elections during a press conference at the party headquarters on the 26th, stating, "This local election is the last chance to correct the arrogance and ignorance of the Lee Jae-myung administration and prevent economic ruin and the collapse of people's livelihoods." [Photo=Yonhap News]

Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, urged voters to participate in the upcoming June 3rd local elections, saying on the 26th, "Only by voting can we stop the unchecked advance of Lee Jae-myung." Jang particularly argued that a special prosecutor bill to nullify prosecutions could become a reality after the local elections, defining the current election as "the last chance to protect the rule of law and the constitutional order."

Speaking at a press conference held at the People Power Party's central headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Jang stated, "This local election is the last chance to correct the arrogance and ignorance of the Lee Jae-myung administration and prevent economic ruin and the collapse of people's livelihoods." He added, "Every vote cast for the People Power Party will be the surest choice to protect your homes and your paychecks."

He emphasized, "We must not be deceived any longer. We must act to protect our freedom." He continued, "We can protect it by voting, and we can win by voting. We must vote to stop the unchecked advance of Lee Jae-myung."

"Special Prosecutor Bill to Cancel Trials to Become Reality After Election"

The most strongly emphasized point by Jang at the press conference was the issue of the special prosecutor bill to nullify prosecutions. He claimed, "As soon as the local elections are over, the 'Special Prosecutor Bill to Cancel Lee Jae-myung's Trials' will immediately become a reality. This is an attempt to erase his own crimes with his own hands."

He further stated, "If the people do not judge, even the last seal of constitutional destruction will be broken. When the rule of law collapses, dictatorship begins." He thus characterized the local elections not merely as a change of local power, but as an election to check the ruling party's legislative drive and its controversies regarding interference in judicial procedures.

Jang appealed, "We must increase the number of People Power Party lawmakers by at least one to block the Lee Jae-myung and Democratic Party's destructive legislative rampage that will ruin people's livelihoods." The logic is that by increasing the People Power Party's seats in the by-elections, they can block contentious bills, including the special prosecutor bill.

On the Starbucks Controversy: "An Attempt to Cover Up Anger Over the Special Prosecutor Bill"

Jang also linked the recent Starbucks controversy to the special prosecutor bill issue. He criticized, "Currently, Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party are trying to change the election landscape by stripping the people of their freedom. They have not forgotten their past successes with mad cow disease, THAAD, and Fukushima, and are now inciting the public again by making Starbucks a scapegoat."

He continued, "This is an attempt to cover up the public's anger over the special prosecutor bill to cancel trials with the Starbucks issue. The people are on the verge of losing even the freedom to choose a cup of coffee. This is the politics of fear under Lee Jae-myung."

This point is the second pillar of Jang's press conference. The People Power Party believes that the controversy surrounding the special prosecutor bill is a burden for the ruling party in the final stages of the election and has characterized the Starbucks controversy as an attempt to shift the focus away from that burden.

"Triple-G Hell" and "Tax Bombs" Also Linked to Regime Judgment Argument

Jang also strongly criticized economic and real estate issues. He said, "Nowadays, the lives of our citizens have become a daily routine of 'triple-G hell' with high prices, high interest rates, and high exchange rates. While some are celebrating bonuses of 600 million won, others are desperately looking for a 6,000 won cafeteria meal."

He also stated, "While the government celebrates KOSPI reaching 7,000, there are citizens sighing over mortgage interest rates exceeding 7%." He argued that while the government emphasizes market performance, ordinary citizens and the middle class are crushed by the burden of prices, interest rates, and housing costs.

He also brought up real estate tax issues. Jang said, "Seoul apartment prices have risen more than during the Moon Jae-in administration, and self-deprecating remarks like 'no one can afford to buy a house except for Samsung and SK Hynix' are circulating. The increase in property taxes and the special deduction for long-term holding are just waiting for the local elections to end."

He continued, "Whether you own a house or want to sell it, you face a tax bomb," arguing that the possibility of strengthened real estate tax policies after the local elections must be guarded against.

Jang also criticized the Democratic Party's candidates for city and provincial governor, as well as candidates for the by-elections, saying, "Ultimately, they will become accomplices in Lee Jae-myung's dictatorship." However, he noted that allegations related to individual candidates require legal disputes or verification of facts and are therefore best treated as political assertions by Jang.

At the end of the press conference, Jang said, "The People Power Party will do better. The choice is the People Power Party, number 2."

This press conference is interpreted as a message aimed at rallying the conservative base in the final stages of the local elections.

Jang has broadened the controversy over the special prosecutor bill into an argument for judging the rule of law and has characterized the Starbucks controversy as an attempt to shift the focus. By combining these with economic hardship and real estate tax issues, he has strengthened the argument for checking the administration with the message, "We can stop it only by voting."