Jang Dong-hyuk leads 'party power faction' in pushing for 'nationwide by-election' outside the Assembly

People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk has escalated his campaign for a "nationwide by-election," rallying party members and visiting a protest site where ballot papers were allegedly blocked. Jang is framing the election commission's ballot paper shortage as a reason for a complete rerun, drawing criticism for allegedly fueling social unrest and conflict to protect his leadership.

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What citizens want now is a by-election, a special prosecutor, and reform of the election commission. The People Power Party will protect this place with the citizens.

Jang visited the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium in Songpa-gu, Seoul, where protesters had gathered. He declared, "What citizens want now is a by-election, a special prosecutor, and reform of the election commission." He vowed, "The People Power Party will protect this place with the citizens." Several lawmakers, identified as part of the party's leadership faction, were also present at the site.

Before visiting the protest, Jang announced plans to file election petitions for a nationwide by-election in seven regions, including Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Busan, and potentially adding Chungbuk due to missing voter lists. He stated his intention to "find additional problematic areas by tomorrow and expand the scope of petitions nationwide to the maximum extent possible."

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He is inciting social chaos and fueling conflict by irresponsibly agitating for a nationwide by-election without a plan.

Political observers and opposition parties have strongly condemned Jang's actions. Han Byung-do, the Democratic Party's floor leader, criticized Jang's "endless repetition of conspiracy theories" at the protest, demanding he immediately withdraw the "unconditional petitions and conspiracy theory agitation." Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform Party, called Jang's call for a rerun "irresponsible agitation" without a concrete plan. Professor Lee Jun-han of Incheon National University suggested Jang is amplifying social chaos by relying on hardline supporters to maintain his party leadership.

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He is amplifying social chaos by relying on hardline supporters to maintain his party leadership, despite being able to assess the reality of a nationwide by-election.