Jang Dong-hyuk Appeals for Judgment on Administration Ahead of June 3 Local Elections

Jang Dong-hyuk, the leader of the People Power Party, on May 26, eight days before the June 3 local elections, appealed for support, urging voters to judge the arrogance and recklessness of the Lee administration and to protect the rule of law and the people's livelihoods. He defined the upcoming local elections as the last chance to correct the Lee administration's arrogance and ignorance and prevent economic ruin and the collapse of people's livelihoods.

Jang criticized the administration, saying that even as a 'triple-high hell' (referring to high inflation, high interest rates, and high exchange rates) has become commonplace, the government celebrated Kospi reaching 7,000 and called the cries of the people 'friction sounds of advancement,' telling them to endure. Regarding real estate policy, he pointed out that Seoul apartment prices have risen more than during the Moon Jae-in administration.

He criticized the push for a 'trial cancellation special prosecutor' as 'destroying the judicial system to acquit one person,' warning that 'if the final seal of constitutional destruction is broken, dictatorship without the rule of law will begin.' He slammed the Starbucks controversy as 'fear politics aimed at covering up public anger over the trial cancellation special prosecutor.' Jang characterized the Starbucks controversy as 'fear politics aimed at covering up public anger over the trial cancellation special prosecutor,' expressing concern that people might even lose the freedom to choose a cup of coffee.

Jang Dong-hyuk's remarks were interpreted as a strategy by the People Power Party to emphasize a verdict on the Lee administration's overall state management and consolidate its voter base. The party appeared to be highlighting the call for judgment on the administration by successively focusing on economic hardship and judicial risks.