People Power Party (PPP) leader Jang Dong-hyuk strongly criticized President Lee Jae-myung over the Democratic Party's push for a "fabricated prosecution special counsel," calling him "a destroyer tearing down all constitutional and judicial order."
Jang made the remarks at the "9th Nationwide Local Elections Victory Rally" held at the PPP's Gyeonggi provincial headquarters in Suwon on Thursday, saying, "The utterly self-evident principle of equality before the law, as stipulated in the Constitution, is collapsing."
Jang particularly pointed out, "Equality is hope, but only one person, the president, is trying to be recognized as an exception." He added, "'Even a president must go to prison if he commits a crime' — those were President Lee Jae-myung's own words."
"If a prosecution is unjust, one should stand trial openly and obtain a not-guilty verdict," Jang said. "Yet they are even pursuing a special counsel to withdraw the charges and erase the president's crimes."
Jang also leveled sharp criticism at Rep. Choo Mi-ae, who is running as the Democratic Party's candidate for Gyeonggi governor. "The Democratic Party has put forward Choo Mi-ae — the commander of assault troops and the queen of destruction who, following President Lee Jae-myung's orders, dismantled the prosecution and destroyed the judiciary — as its candidate for Gyeonggi governor," he said, raising his voice. "Can we accept such a candidate as governor of Gyeonggi Province?"
He added, "She became the Democratic Party's Gyeonggi governor candidate on the strength of the 'Gaettal' (hardcore Lee supporters). If she becomes Gyeonggi governor, she will be pushed around by the Gaettal and ultimately ruin the province." He emphasized, "The only person qualified to lead Gyeonggi, the heart of Korea's economy, is candidate Yang Hyang-ja."
Jang's visit to Gyeonggi marks his third regional trip since the election campaign began, following visits to Busan and Daegu. With candidate nominations nearing completion and the launch of the central party's election committee imminent, Jang is stepping up his nationwide campaign support activities.
Jang is considering attending the opening ceremony of the election office of Park Min-sik, the PPP candidate for the Busan Buk-gu A parliamentary by-election scheduled for the 10th of this month.
In contrast, some pro-Han Dong-hoon lawmakers, including PPP Rep. Han Ji-a, have announced plans to attend the opening ceremony of the election office of former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon, who is running as an independent in Busan Buk-gu A on the same day, which is expected to intensify internal party conflict.
PPP floor leader Song Eon-seok earlier warned, referring to Rep. Han Ji-a, "If a complaint is filed, it will be referred to the ethics committee and disciplinary procedures will follow."
PPP chief spokesperson Park Sung-hoon met with reporters after Thursday's Gyeonggi provincial rally and said, "I believe the leadership will make a wise and prudent judgment." He added, "What party members want is not a divided image, but a 'one team' image."
