Opposition leader demands meeting with president over election ballot shortage, calls to scrap early voting

Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of South Korea's People Power Party, has demanded an immediate meeting with President Lee Jae-myung to address the ballot shortage crisis that emerged during the recent June 3 local elections. Jang emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that "the current state of affairs can no longer be overlooked." He stressed the need for the political establishment to provide a "satisfactory answer" to the young people guarding the Olympic Park and citizens across the country.

"I demand an immediate meeting with President Lee Jae-myung. I want to meet him directly to convey the citizens' voices and hear the president's responsible response," Jang declared. He added that any format for the meeting would be acceptable and suggested that proceeding with an overseas trip without addressing these issues would provoke greater public resistance. Jang also called on the Democratic Party to "immediately form a special committee for a national inquiry and launch a special prosecutor as soon as possible."

Furthermore, Jang insisted that "reforms to the National Election Commission cannot be delayed" and advocated for the abolition of early voting, which he claims "half the nation distrusts." He argued that instead of dismissing these concerns as "election fraud theories," the focus should be on "nipping the seeds of election fraud in the bud." Jang questioned why there is such a strong insistence on maintaining early voting, a sentiment he believes many citizens do not understand.

When asked if this demand implied a call for a nationwide re-election, Jang suggested that the problem was not isolated to one or two areas. He also addressed the growing calls for his resignation due to the party's defeat in the local elections. Jang advised those advocating for his departure to "go out to Olympic Park again" and stated that it is inappropriate to link the current focus on these critical issues with discussions about his position, especially if fighting alongside the public is what the people demand.