The Democratic Party of Korea said Monday it is reviewing measures to determine the truth behind the ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections, including a parliamentary investigation and the formation of a body to reform the National Election Commission. At the same time, the party strongly urged the People Power Party to halt its "political show" and cooperate in organizing the second half of the National Assembly.
"This is a time to consider the public sentiment expressed through the election, to reflect on and improve shortcomings, and to find a path that aligns with the people's will," Kang Jun-hyun, the Democratic Party's chief spokesperson, said at a press briefing held at the party leader's conference room in the National Assembly Monday morning. "Regrettably, the People Power Party has once again chosen a course of pure partisan strife after the election."
Kang took aim at People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk, who cited the "end of the regime" over the incident and called for a re-election, saying, "Stop the political show aimed at securing immediate political standing." He added, "Even after the election, the People Power Party's instinct to obscure the essence of the matter and launch reckless offensives remains, which is concerning. They are inflating the essence of the problem by claiming everything is 'ultimately the president's fault.'"
Pointing out that poor election management is the essence of the problem, he stressed, "The National Election Commission holds the status of an independent body under the Constitution, but the government and ruling party have not avoided the issue at all." He explained, "President Lee Jae-myung has also declared a firm determination of responsibility, and the Democratic Party is reviewing all truth-finding measures, including a parliamentary investigation, as well as the formation of a body to reform the National Election Commission." On the specific form of the reform body, however, he was reserved, saying, "Parliament must be organized first before we can carry out a parliamentary investigation or a special counsel probe."
He also raised the pressure on cooperation in organizing the National Assembly. "If the People Power Party is going to loudly demand a parliamentary investigation and a special counsel, it must first cooperate in organizing the second half of parliament that decides those matters," Kang said. "The People Power Party's attitude of not actively cooperating in organizing parliament is a contradictory political offensive that doesn't add up."
He continued, "The organization of parliament should also not be approached with the aim of hampering the Lee Jae-myung administration's governance," urging, "Do not make the mistake of remaining a party that goes against the people, and cooperate quickly so it can be completed within June."
Meanwhile, regarding the schedule for the next party convention, Kang said, "We have about three options for the date — August 17, August 30, and September 6 — and we plan to decide as early as tomorrow or at next week's Supreme Council meeting." On the "Jung Chung-rae accountability theory" stemming from the local election defeat and the schedule for publishing a white paper, he drew a line against debates premised on personal opinion, saying, "When the Supreme Council convenes next week, we will establish the principles and criteria for its composition and begin operating the (local election evaluation committee)."
