Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, has commented on the shortage of ballots. [Photo=Yonhap News]

Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, on the 7th effectively called for 'a full-scale re-election' regarding the ballot shortage incident in Seoul and other areas. He also officially proposed an immediate meeting with President Lee Jae-myung to address this issue before his trip to Europe.

At an emergency press conference held at the National Assembly on the same day, Jang stated, "If the public wants a re-election, but the government tries to brush it aside with a parliamentary inquiry or the ruling party's recommended special prosecutor, they will never be able to quell the public's anger that is burning like wildfire."

"Olympic Park, currently the site of a citizen resistance movement, is already a sacred ground for democracy."

Jang highlighted that public outrage over the incident has reached its peak, referring to the citizens gathered in front of the Olympic Park counting station in Songpa-gu.

Regarding the gathered citizens, Jang said, "Who dares to call them 'protesters' or 'rioters'? This is an orderly citizen resistance movement," and declared, "Olympic Park has already become a sacred ground for democracy."

He added, "The cheers that started in Jamsil are spreading nationwide like wildfire," and "This time, it is the wish of the vast majority of the public to rectify this flawed election."

Furthermore, he stated, "This is not an issue to be discussed excluding the areas where our People Power Party has won," and drew a line, saying, "Re-elections are beyond the stage of being decided based on party advantage or disadvantage."

Jang continued to exert strong pressure, urging concrete actions from Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party of Korea.

"It's fine even today. Any format is fine. If you go on your tour abroad irresponsibly while ignoring all these issues, you will face even greater public resistance."

Jang demanded an immediate meeting with Lee Jae-myung, vowing to directly convey the voices of the citizens and receive responsible answers.

He also turned his attention to the Democratic Party of Korea and its leader, Chung Sye-kyun, saying, "Let's immediately form a special committee for a parliamentary inquiry and launch a special prosecutor as soon as possible." He criticized, "You should not evade responsibility with excuses about the formation of the legislative body coming first." He further argued, "Many citizens already consider Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party, and the Election Commission as accomplices in causing this incident."

"Abolish the early voting system and increase in-person voting."

As a systemic alternative, he proposed the 'abolition of the early voting system.' Jang suggested, "We must find reasonable alternatives, such as abolishing early voting, which half the nation distrusts, and extending the in-person voting period to three days."

Meanwhile, Jang directly refuted a reporter's question asking if he was trying to dismiss calls for his resignation due to the party's election defeat by criticizing the poorly managed election.

Jang replied, "Those who speak about my position are advised to go to Olympic Park themselves," adding, "We need to see what we should focus on at this moment, whether it is an internal party issue or a fight we must have with the public." Therefore, he reiterated that linking the current situation to his personal position is entirely inappropriate.

By Reporter Lim Yo-hee