People Power Party Leader Jang Dong-hyuk's press conference (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Dong-hae = People Power Party Leader Jang Dong-hyuk is stating his position on President Lee Jae-myung's first anniversary press conference at the National Assembly on the 8th. 2026.6.8 eastsea@yna.co.kr

Jang Dong-hyuk, the leader of the People Power Party, stated on the 8th regarding the unprecedented shortage of ballots, "A special prosecutor is prioritized over a parliamentary inquiry, and a by-election is prioritized over a special prosecutor."

Speaking at a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, Jang said, "I will say it again, the people's demand is for a by-election."

He claimed, "Ballots were delivered on the day of the election to 67 polling stations, and actual voting delays occurred in 22 locations. Most of these were areas where the People Power Party had an advantage, and the results could have been reversed in close contests. This is not just an issue for metropolitan mayors, but a case involving issues with metropolitan councilors, local councilors, local mayors, local proportional representatives, and metropolitan proportional representatives."

Regarding President Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party criticizing the National Election Commission (NEC), Jang stated, "The Democratic Party is the one that even created a bill to imprison those who criticize the NEC for 10 years. When the NEC's preferential hiring of family members surfaced in 2023, they blocked audits by the Board of Audit and Inspection and police investigations, only clamoring for a parliamentary inquiry. This is why it is difficult to believe the sincerity of the Democratic Party's current parliamentary inquiry demands. If there is to be a parliamentary inquiry, the People Power Party must lead it, from the selection of the chairperson to the witnesses."

Concerning President Lee's directive to form a joint investigation headquarters by the prosecution and police, Jang argued, "Mobilizing the prosecution, which has only four months left in its term, is nonsensical. Is the intention to finish the investigation of this grave matter in just four months? The Lee Jae-myung joint investigation headquarters is a 'get-out-of-jail-free card for the NEC' and a ploy to neutralize the parliamentary inquiry and evade a special prosecutor. We have no choice but to proceed with a special prosecutor."

He emphasized, "This should not be a 'Lee Jae-myung-ordered special prosecutor' recommended by the Democratic Party and the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, but a proper 'people's special prosecutor' recommended by the People Power Party."

People Power Party Leader Jang Dong-hyuk at a press conference (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Dong-hae = People Power Party Leader Jang Dong-hyuk is stating his position on President Lee Jae-myung's first anniversary press conference at the National Assembly on the 8th. 2026.6.8 eastsea@yna.co.kr

After President Lee's first anniversary press conference concluded, Jang held a press conference at the National Assembly in the afternoon and demanded, "Is this situation solely the responsibility of the NEC? Does the President, who is responsible for national affairs, bear no responsibility? Lee Jae-myung must provide a proper answer to the people's demand for a by-election."

Regarding the scope of the by-election, he stated, "If a comprehensive problem has occurred, a full-scale by-election is the answer."

He also mentioned that he coincidentally met with Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae in the afternoon and discussed the 'NEC incident special prosecutor.' "Jeong also agreed with the idea of a special prosecutor. Jeong said to me, 'The Democratic Party has been consistently talking about a special prosecutor, so why doesn't the People Power Party also state its acceptance? Agree to a special prosecutor.' I replied, 'What are you talking about? We have been consistently advocating for a special prosecutor.' I will interpret the Democratic Party's stance as accepting a special prosecutor for the ballot shortage incident."

He added, "The ruling and opposition parties have reached an agreement on a parliamentary inquiry and a special prosecutor, and that the National Assembly should move forward with a unified will in resolving the issue. I expect this matter to be discussed swiftly without any delay once the People Power Party's floor leadership is formed." (Yonhap News)