Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, attended a hearing on election appeals related to the June 3 local elections at the National Election Commission in Gwacheon on July 27. Before the hearing, he held a press conference at the National Assembly, asserting, "A re-election must be conducted." He stated that if the Election Commission fails to respond to allegations of election fraud, it must acknowledge its mistakes and take responsibility, speaking passionately for over 30 minutes.
After the hearing, Jang told reporters, "If the public had watched the hearing (live), they would have been outraged. With such an attitude and mindset, the Election Commission is causing South Korea to incur social costs every election cycle," adding that his feelings of anger during the hearing had not subsided.
Previously, Jang had requested a live broadcast of the hearing, but the request was denied, prompting him to hold a press conference at the National Assembly. During the conference, he remarked, "Even if the Election Commission claims to be 'making soybean paste with beans,' the people of South Korea will not believe it. Based on the facts revealed so far, I believe this local election is invalid and a re-election is necessary."
Jang argued that the logic claiming election fraud is impossible has lost its validity. He explained, "No matter how thoroughly monitored and supervised the vote counting is, the Election Commission can manipulate all the numbers without any oversight, procedures, or reports at the final stage, which is a serious issue. The fairness, transparency, and objectivity of past elections are also called into question."
He urged, "If all facts are revealed and a special investigation is conducted, there will be no clean area among the 16 metropolitan governments. I hope they do not miss this last opportunity to correct their mistakes." He pressed for a complete re-election.
Political analysts suggest that Jang's press conference before the hearing was a strategy to pressure the Election Commission and the Democratic Party. As both parties engage in behind-the-scenes negotiations regarding the extension of the National Assembly's investigation into voting rights violations and the scope and duration of the special investigation, Jang appears to be trying to create a favorable situation through public opinion.
Even if the election appeal is not accepted, it seems that the strategy is to continue addressing the issue of voting rights violations politically. In fact, the People Power Party believes that Jang and other party members have generated momentum for the National Assembly investigation and special investigation by frequently visiting locations like Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul.
A member of the People Power Party stated to Aju Economy, "While the allegations of manipulation by the Election Commission are currently just suspicions, if intentionality is confirmed, a re-election would be inevitable. As of now, we cannot confirm intentionality, and while Jang's claims of election fraud are political, the situation could change."
After the hearing, Jang told reporters, "If the public had watched the hearing (live), they would have been outraged. With such an attitude and mindset, the Election Commission is causing South Korea to incur social costs every election cycle," adding that his feelings of anger during the hearing had not subsided.
Previously, Jang had requested a live broadcast of the hearing, but the request was denied, prompting him to hold a press conference at the National Assembly. During the conference, he remarked, "Even if the Election Commission claims to be 'making soybean paste with beans,' the people of South Korea will not believe it. Based on the facts revealed so far, I believe this local election is invalid and a re-election is necessary."
Jang argued that the logic claiming election fraud is impossible has lost its validity. He explained, "No matter how thoroughly monitored and supervised the vote counting is, the Election Commission can manipulate all the numbers without any oversight, procedures, or reports at the final stage, which is a serious issue. The fairness, transparency, and objectivity of past elections are also called into question."
He urged, "If all facts are revealed and a special investigation is conducted, there will be no clean area among the 16 metropolitan governments. I hope they do not miss this last opportunity to correct their mistakes." He pressed for a complete re-election.
Political analysts suggest that Jang's press conference before the hearing was a strategy to pressure the Election Commission and the Democratic Party. As both parties engage in behind-the-scenes negotiations regarding the extension of the National Assembly's investigation into voting rights violations and the scope and duration of the special investigation, Jang appears to be trying to create a favorable situation through public opinion.
Even if the election appeal is not accepted, it seems that the strategy is to continue addressing the issue of voting rights violations politically. In fact, the People Power Party believes that Jang and other party members have generated momentum for the National Assembly investigation and special investigation by frequently visiting locations like Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul.
A member of the People Power Party stated to Aju Economy, "While the allegations of manipulation by the Election Commission are currently just suspicions, if intentionality is confirmed, a re-election would be inevitable. As of now, we cannot confirm intentionality, and while Jang's claims of election fraud are political, the situation could change."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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