Jang Donghyuk: "Prosecutor General, Serious Crimes Investigation Agency Chief, and Police Chief Seats Vacant as Prosecution Disappears... Ruling Party Responsible for Public Harm"

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, stated on October 1, "Tomorrow, South Korea's entire criminal justice system will change, yet all the key positions responsible for it—including the Minister of Justice, the heads of prosecution, major crime investigations, and the National Police Agency—remain vacant." He continued, "All societal damages that begin to unfold from tomorrow will rest squarely on President Lee Jaemyung and the ruling party's shoulders."

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is delivering a speech at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on October 1, 2026. Photo by Dongju Yoon

Attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, Jang remarked, "It is a shocking reality that not only those who lead investigations and prosecutions but also those responsible for coordinating investigative authority are all serving as acting officials. This situation arose, not because of concern for public safety, but because they were preoccupied with protecting the president—specifically, by seeking someone who would be responsible for withdrawing charges against President Lee. That is how we ended up here."

He added, "Even until early this morning, President Lee was posting on social media and engaging in debates with netizens opposing the appointment of the head of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency. In just one day yesterday, he posted as many as 10 messages on X. Shouldn't he be preparing measures to fill the public safety gap instead of spending time on that?"

Jang continued, "The Serious Crime Investigation Agency has not even filled 70% of its staff; the building itself is still under construction, there is no detention center so they are borrowing one from the police, and the lack of an integrated IT network means investigation records must be managed by hand. The transfer of cases from the prosecution is sloppy, making it likely that wanted criminals will be released."

He further stated, "Police reform hasn't even begun, so the concealment of cases will continue. Aside from changing the organization's nameplate, nothing has been properly prepared. They rushed to push the legislation through as if it were a bullet, but what have they been doing all this time?"

Jang declared, "All those responsible for turning South Korea into a public safety nightmare will inevitably stand trial before the court of history," adding, "The People Power Party will work with the people to ensure the Lee Jaemyung administration is held accountable for the destruction of the judicial system."

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