The lockdown at the Jamsil vote counting center, triggered by the ballot shortage in the June 3 local elections, has escalated again on Friday evening, drawing a large crowd. [Yonhap News]

The People Power Party is experiencing internal debate regarding the demand for a re-election of the June 3 local elections due to the ballot shortage.

While the party leadership, led by interim leader Jang Dong-hyuk, is pushing for a full-scale re-election, internal opinions are divided into three main factions: those advocating for selective re-elections, primarily legal experts and younger lawmakers, and those arguing against any re-election.

The most active proponents of a full re-election include interim leader Jang Dong-hyuk and top party officials such as Shin Dong-wook, Kim Jae-won, Kim Min-soo, and Cho Kwang-hwan.

Jang, who has been frequently visiting Jamsil recently, urged President Lee Jae-myung on Facebook to "first listen to the voices of the youth and citizens calling for an immediate re-election."

The previous day, he proposed a public meeting with Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum and Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung to discuss whether to hold a nationwide re-election and to launch a special prosecutor investigation.

Some voices suggest a partial re-election, deeming a full re-election practically difficult.

Lawmakers including Na Kyung-won, Yoo Sang-bum, Kim Sun-kyo, Kwak Gyu-taek, Park Choong-kwon, Joo Jin-woo, and Choi Soo-jin urged in a National Assembly press conference on the 12th, "The National Election Commission should not hide behind court rulings but should decide on partial re-elections by its own authority."

Lawmaker Joo Jin-woo, a former prosecutor who has been leading the offensive against the ruling party, stated in a media interview, "If there is a national consensus, it is possible to push for a re-election through amendments to the Public Official Election Act."

There are also many lawmakers who are concerned about the aftermath of a re-election, or who initially mentioned the need for a re-election immediately after the election but are now observing the situation. These lawmakers are primarily proposing to focus on reforming the election commission rather than holding a re-election.

Lawmaker Kim Yong-tae, a member of the "Alternatives and Future" group, which consists mainly of first and second-term lawmakers with reformist leanings, posted on Facebook, "What about the citizens who criticize the corruption of the election commission but do not agree with a re-election?" He pointed out, "If a full re-election is held in disregard of the Constitution and laws, there will be nationwide debates and lawsuits over the infringement of suffrage."

Another second-term lawmaker stated in a phone call with Yonhap News, "An unconditional re-election is somewhat burdensome."

Recently, arguments have also occurred in the party's lawmakers' Telegram chat room.

The previous day, lawmaker Kim Min-jeon stated, "Isn't the party's response to the illegal election too weak?" and added, "There is an argument that if martial law is unconstitutional and illegal, the infringement of suffrage is even more unconstitutional and illegal."

In response, lawmaker Kwon Young-jin pointed out, "Comparing it to martial law seems inappropriate. Please withdraw (the post)." Lawmaker Kim replied that he would withdraw it if the comparison to martial law was uncomfortable, but reiterated, "If we stand idly by, we will be sinners in history."

There is also a difference in sentiment regarding the visits to the Olympic Park in Jamsil by citizens who claim their right to participate in elections has been infringed.

The party leadership, including interim leader Jang, has been visiting Jamsil daily, taking photos with citizens and holding placards that read "Re-election for Fraudulent Election," appearing to seize the initiative in responding to the situation.

On the other hand, lawmakers such as Na Kyung-won, Cho Bae-sook, Park Dae-chul, Kim Eun-hye, Yoo Sang-bum, Park Sung-min, Kim Tae-gyu, Park Sung-hoon, Lee Jin-sook, Joo Jin-woo, and Choi Soo-jin also visited Jamsil, but their stated purpose was to listen to the citizens' voices.

Ultimately, the party's stance on re-election is expected to be somewhat clarified through a general meeting of lawmakers in the middle of this week. For now, the focus appears to be on forming a special committee for a parliamentary inquiry and a TF (tentative name) for election commission reform and election system innovation.

A key party official said in a phone call, "We are truly contemplating whether the issue of re-election is something that needs to be resolved through a general meeting of lawmakers." He added, "Nevertheless, it is necessary to set a direction through a general meeting. A clear message should be established during the week."

Senior spokesperson Choi Bo-yoon told reporters, "For now, we will focus on the parliamentary inquiry and the special prosecutor, and depending on what is revealed, a re-election can be fully discussed." He added, "However, it is not a situation where we can say anything definitively."