Joonseok Lee Criticizes Jang Donghyuk's Call for "Full Re-election" as Irresponsible Provocation, Not a Solution

Lee: "Selective Re-election Is the Realistic Solution"

Joonseok Lee, Leader of the Reform New Party, on June 16 criticized Jang Donghyuk, Leader of the People Power Party, who has been calling for a "full re-election," saying, "Calling for a re-election without even designing how it should be done is not a solution but an irresponsible provocation."

Through his social network service (SNS) account on this day, Leader Lee stated, "If only the main voting day is repeated, the turnout rate will change and the results will be distorted. If the early voting is also repeated, out-of-district votes will be blocked, causing further distortion." He pointed out, "Jang's proposal for a full re-election cannot result in a fair election, no matter which way it is carried out."

He continued, "The only open path at this point is a 'selective re-election,' in which only the problematic polling stations vote again and those results are combined with the other valid votes. Even so, there is concern that fewer voters than those who participated in the original election may take part, which could lead to distortions."

Junseok Lee, leader of the Reform New Party. Photo by Yonhap News

Addressing Leader Jang, Lee sharply remarked, "A responsible politician should present a consistent and coherent argument from start to finish, not incite anger with provocative slogans. Instead of shaking the public with the impossible agitation of a full re-election, we should stand together in support of the feasible solution of a selective re-election."

The previous day, the Supreme Council of the People Power Party resolved to file election appeals in six regions: Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, Ulsan, Gwangju, and South Jeolla. However, differences in opinion regarding the scope and intent of the election appeals have emerged even within the party leadership.

Leader Jang reaffirmed his position by stating, "The appeal is only the beginning; the goal is a nationwide re-election." Meanwhile, Floor Leader Jeong Jeom-sik drew a line, saying, "We only requested a review to see what impact there was in each region. We did not demand a full re-election."

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