Jang Donghyuk: "President Lee Must Step Down... Stronger Protest if Kim Seungwon Is Appointed"

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, commented on President Lee Jaemyung’s national press conference on September 18, stating, “There was not a single admission of wrongdoing. Now it is time for him to step down from the presidency.” Jang added, “If Minister of Justice nominee Kim Seungwon is appointed, we will keep stronger means of protest on the table and consider their use.”

Jang held a press briefing at the National Assembly that afternoon, remarking, “Today’s conference was, in short, a declaration of abandonment of the people and of livelihoods. He avoided answering questions from the public and responded only to complaints from the left. Now is the time for the people to render judgment.”

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 17th. 2026.09.17 Photo by Dongju Yoon

Jang also addressed President Lee’s statement that he has “absolutely no intention to seek a second term,” saying, “If that is the case, he can simply declare that he will not seek re-election. Eventually, he will just appeal to a decision by the people, won’t he? In reality, it means he has not given up on the dream of a second term.”

Regarding the argument to exclude the clause on withdrawal of prosecution from the Special Prosecutor Act on Fabricated Prosecution, Jang stated, “Whether the clause is included or not, the president can withdraw prosecutions at any time if he wishes. The answer the public wants is only one: for President Lee to stand trial with integrity.”

On the administration’s guiding philosophy, Jang said, “President Lee claimed that his shortcoming lay only in the process and method, not in the direction, but that diagnosis itself is mistaken. It is because the direction was wrong that the methods were flawed.” He added, “Even with the single-item leveraged ETF that caused 54 trillion won in damages to the public, only a special prosecutor can offer a solution.”

Furthermore, Jang stated, “Attempting reforms tailored only to the left, and seeking to unite only the left, is why both reform and unity have failed, yet he still caters only to the left. President Lee is an incompetent, irresponsible, and autocratic leader, and the person who causes the greatest suffering to the people.”

When asked whether he plans to take the fight to the streets, Jang said, “Although he said he would carefully consider the nomination of Kim, it is the same as declaring he cannot give up the power to withdraw prosecutions. While we have agreed to hold a public rally next week, if that still proves insufficient, we will need to consider even stronger measures of protest.”

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