DP Urges PPP to Stop Exploiting Ballot Paper Crisis for Political Strife

"Bringing Up Personal Connections Regarding the Acting Chief Is Outdated Politics"

The Democratic Party of Korea has urged the People Power Party to stop engaging in political strife aimed at undermining the government in relation to the ballot paper shortage crisis during the June 3 local elections.

Juhee Lee, Floor Spokesperson of the Democratic Party. Photo by Yonhap News

On June 13, Juhee Lee, Floor Spokesperson for the Democratic Party, stated in a written briefing, "At a time when the National Assembly should be making every effort to protect citizens' suffrage, the People Power Party is exploiting this national crisis as an excuse to attack the Lee Jaemyung administration."

In response to People Power Party leader Donghyuk Jang's remark pointing out that Central Election Commission acting chief Chulhwan Wi was a law school colleague of President Lee Jaemyung, she explained, "The appointment of an acting chief following the resignation of the previous chair is an inevitable administrative procedure." She added, "Nevertheless, bringing up personal relationships and dragging the president into the issue is distasteful and off-putting to the public."

Lee further criticized, "The People Power Party should cease these unproductive offensives and first resolve internal chaos, such as supporting election fraud theories or demanding a rerun of the election."

She continued, "Although the infringement of citizens' suffrage caused by the Election Commission is a clear failure to fulfill its institutional duty, this cannot be used as a justification for claims by election fraud theorists."

Lee also mentioned that the Democratic Party is keeping all possibilities open, including fact-finding, holding those responsible accountable, and constitutional amendments for electoral system reform. She stressed, "As the ruling party, we will mobilize all our resources to do our utmost to rectify this situation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.