Jang Donghyuk: "Third-Party Special Prosecutor for NEC Is a 'Bed Special Prosecutor'... The Opposition Must Lead"

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, criticized the ruling party's proposal on July 6 regarding the special prosecutor for the National Election Commission's 9th Nationwide Local Elections "ballot paper shortage incident," which suggested a third-party nomination. He called it a "bed special prosecutor operation," stating, "What the people want is a special prosecutor nominated by the opposition and with unlimited investigative authority."

Attending the Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly that morning, Jang said, "(The Democratic Party of Korea's proposal) is just talk of a special prosecutor, as in the Unification Church special prosecutor case; in reality, they are just stalling for time by lying down and dragging things out, ultimately planning to thwart the special prosecutor."

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on July 6, 2026. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

Jang also stated, "It was the Democratic Party that brought the National Election Commission to this state, yet they claim that a third-party-nominated special prosecutor is practical and fair. If that's the case, are they admitting that all the special prosecutors they have pushed for until now were unrealistic and unfair?"

He continued, "They also want to limit the scope of investigation to this incident (the ballot paper shortage) and the inside of the National Election Commission, which is an irresponsible act of obstruction, essentially refusing to get to the bottom of the matter. In a situation where it has been revealed that Democratic Party lawmaker Seo Youngkyo and former National Election Commission Chairperson Noh Taeak spoke on the phone on the day of the election, this argument makes no sense."

Jang further emphasized, "From the beginning, it was the people who demanded this special prosecutor and who compelled the Democratic Party to accept it. Even now, Wi Cheolhwan, a close associate of President Lee Jaemyung, is controlling the National Election Commission. If the ruling party continues to stall with the so-called 'bed special prosecutor,' it will only accelerate the downfall of the administration."

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