Ruling party slams Democrats over election commission, demands party-led probe

The People Power Party has sharply criticized the Democratic Party and the National Election Commission (NEC) following ballot shortages during the recent local elections. Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk accused the Democrats of being responsible for the NEC's "unfettered power" and even proposed a special prosecutor investigation, but insisted it should be led by his party, not one "ordered by" Lee Jae-myung.

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The Democratic Party, Jo Guk (Innovation Party) that recommended Lee Jae-myung's special prosecutor, not the People Power Party's special prosecutor.

Jang argued that the Democratic Party had previously defended the NEC, even proposing legislation that would impose severe penalties for criticizing the commission. He pointed to a 2023 scandal involving preferential hiring of NEC officials' relatives, where the Democrats allegedly provided "ironclad defense." Jang emphasized that any parliamentary investigation must be led by the People Power Party to ensure public trust, warning that a probe controlled by the Democrats would be meaningless.

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Who is the person who made the current unfettered election commission? The Democratic Party even proposed a bill that would impose a 10-year prison sentence for criticizing the election commission.

Furthermore, Jang Dong-hyuk questioned President Lee Jae-myung's directive to form a joint investigation team, calling it "nonsense" given the team's short remaining lifespan. He suggested this was a deliberate attempt to hinder a thorough investigation. Jang also criticized the police's past actions, including raiding the National Intelligence Service over election commission server security checks, implying the joint team would serve to "absolve" the NEC.

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When the election commission's family hiring preferential treatment scandal broke out in 2023, it was Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party who provided ironclad defense, saying the People Power Party was demonizing the election commission and shaking Noh Tae-hak.

"The Democratic Party, which has always pushed for special prosecutors, has no reason to refuse this one," Jang stated, echoing President Lee's stance that anyone refusing a special prosecutor is an accomplice. The People Power Party leader concluded by asserting that the public's demand is for a new election.

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If you want to conduct a parliamentary investigation, you must do it properly. If the People Power Party leads the selection of witnesses, the public can be convinced of the results.