Oh Se-hoon directly hits Jang Dong-hyuk's 'by-election argument,' calling it a slogan to protect his position
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon criticized People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk's push for a nationwide by-election, calling it a bid to protect his position.
- Jang Dong-hyuk is advocating for a rerun of elections in seven regions due to issues with ballot papers, drawing internal party criticism.
- Critics argue Jang's actions are politically motivated and could lead to backlash, while some party leaders believe a nationwide rerun is unrealistic.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon directly challenged People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk's push for a nationwide by-election, accusing him of using the issue to cling to his leadership position. Oh stated on Facebook that Jang is leading the entire party into a "consumptive 'by-election argument'" and questioned whether the actions were a genuine pursuit of truth or a strategic maneuver for his own unstable political standing.
The public already knows clearly. Whether that is a struggle to uncover the truth or a strategic slogan to protect one's shaky political position.
Jang has been advocating for a rerun of elections in seven regions, including Seoul and Gyeonggi, citing problems with ballot papers. He visited a protest site at the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium in Songpa-gu, Seoul, to rally support for his call for a nationwide by-election. However, this move has sparked internal dissent within the party. Critics, including lawmaker Kim Yong-tae, have accused Jang of leading the party based on "election fraud conspiracy theories and his own political position," urging for leadership change.
Concerns are mounting that Jang's actions, which involve rallying outside the National Assembly, could backfire. One lawmaker from the Yeongnam region expressed worry that Jang's direct involvement in street protests, rather than focusing on parliamentary duties, could provoke a stronger backlash. Another lawmaker from the ์๋๊ถ region suggested Jang might be trying to consolidate support from hardline party members in preparation for a potential party confidence vote.
He is leading the party to protect his political position through conspiracy theories about fraudulent elections.
Even within Jang's leadership, opinions are divided. Floor leader Jeong Jeong-sik reportedly told junior lawmakers that the election petition was not aimed at a by-election. A participant in a meeting of five-term lawmakers also told Hankyoreh that the general consensus was that a nationwide by-election is unrealistic. The conflict is expected to escalate at a party meeting on June 17, called by the 14-member junior lawmaker group 'Alternative and Future,' which is demanding clarity on the party's stance regarding the by-election.
If you rally outside the National Assembly by defecting from the role you should play in parliament, gathering 'salty water' outside, the backlash will be even greater.
Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.