People Power Party (PPP) leader Jang Dong-hyeok on Monday dismissed mounting calls from within and outside the party for his resignation following the party's defeat in the June 3 local elections.
Jang held a press conference at the National Assembly that day to state his position on President Lee Jae-myung's press conference marking the first year of his term. When asked, "Many lawmakers believe the party leader should make a statement on his future based on the local election results. What do you think?" Jang responded, "Let me ask you in return. Looking at the objective data, how do you assess the results of this local election?" Jang left the press conference room immediately after the brief reply.
The PPP turned in a poor performance, ceding 12 of 16 metropolitan mayoral and gubernatorial races to the Democratic Party of Korea. However, in the by-elections, it recaptured three districts previously held by the Democratic Party, including Pyeongtaek-B in Gyeonggi, Nam-A in Ulsan, and Gongju-Buyeo-Cheongyang in South Chungcheong. Jang's remarks are interpreted as a rebuttal arguing that the party fared well under difficult conditions, citing results such as the by-elections, and as a dismissal of the calls for accountability over the election defeat raised within and outside the party. Earlier, on the 4th, just after the election, Jang stated via Facebook, "I am sorry for the disappointing election results," while also saying, "Although every circumstance was difficult in this election, we kept the embers of hope alive."
Meanwhile, regarding the president's press conference, Jang charged, "President Lee clearly seems to be living in a different world from the people," adding, "There are no people in President Lee's world." He said, "He called for becoming an industrial powerhouse with an insurmountable lead and pledged to make an irreplaceable Korea, but he did not even bring up the core tasks of industrial structural reform and labor reform." He added, "Holding the 'yellow envelope law' in hand while shouting 'irreplaceable' is precisely what reveals the contradiction of the Lee Jae-myung administration."
He also took direct aim at the president's remark about "moving toward a normal society where norms and rules are observed." He said, "I was truly dumbfounded," and added, "The biggest threat to South Korea's judicial order right now is President Lee himself." He said, "Having halted his own five trials is the very symbol of unfairness," stressing, "If he wants to strongly push for normalizing the abnormal, he should first resume his trials."
He also argued that an answer must be provided regarding the shortage of ballot papers during the local elections. Jang asked pointedly, "President Lee, who as an opposition figure cried out over the president's responsibility at every turn, has committed a grave national error yet has not offered a single proper apology," asking, "Does the president, the person in charge of state affairs, bear no responsibility?"
Jang once again stressed the need for a full re-election. He said, "To make it (the demand for a re-election) the party's official position, it must go through a general meeting of lawmakers, but the floor leadership is vacant," adding, "We will discuss this once the floor leadership is formed." He continued, "If a ballot paper shortage occurred in 67 locations nationwide, then a serious problem has arisen," arguing, "If the National Election Commission fails to provide a proper answer, and if it fails to prove the legitimacy of an illegal and unlawful situation, a re-election must be held." He said, "If a wholesale problem has occurred, holding a full re-election is the answer."
