Jang Dong-hyuk: Preparing for Re-election Following Election Commission Investigation

Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, stated on June 29 that he is committed to ensuring a special investigation into the shortage of ballots during the June 3 local elections and is preparing for a possible re-election based on the findings.

Speaking at the launch of the Youth Sovereignty Forum hosted by the People Power Party's External Cooperation Committee, Jang remarked, "The deprivation of voting rights in this local election raises fundamental questions about whether elections in South Korea are being conducted fairly and whether our democracy is functioning properly."

He noted, "There is a significant gap in the perception of the weight of a single vote between the political sphere and the youth. Many in politics are trying to downplay this issue by claiming it did not affect the election outcome, but for young people, any infringement on their voting rights is unacceptable, regardless of the results."

Jang emphasized that the youth's clear stance is evident as they gathered at Olympic Park without any calls for mobilization, stating, "I believe that your thoughts are 100% correct. If caught cheating, the entire exam is invalidated, not just the questions where one was caught cheating."

He added, "The voices of the youth should not be limited to mere anger. They must lead to a special investigation, a re-election, and reforms in the Election Commission and electoral system. We must completely clean up the Election Commission and implement reforms that meet the demands of the people, such as abolishing early voting."

Jang also expressed his commitment to listening to the youth's thoughts on what changes they want and what solutions are necessary to restore the sovereignty of the people, stating, "This is the fundamental role of politics and the mission given to our party at this time."

While welcoming the Democratic Party's announcement to push for a special investigation into the Election Commission, he cautioned against using it as a tactic to avoid declining approval ratings. He urged them not to delay or derail the investigation by making excuses over the investigation targets or the recommendation of special investigators.