With "Opposition Party, Many Problematic Candidates... Considering Legal Action"

Indicates Unification of Candidates with Reform New Party
Han Dong-hoon on 'Controversial Remarks': "Some May Feel the Expression Was Excessive"

The People Power Party pointed out opposition candidates suspected of real estate speculation and other allegations, even suggesting legal action.

People Power Party Secretary-General Jang Dong-hyeok is drinking water at the Central Election Countermeasures Committee meeting held at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul on the 24th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Jang Dong-hyuk, Secretary General of the People Power Party, met with reporters on the morning of the 29th at the party's central office in Yeouido, Seoul, saying, "There are many problematic candidates among the opposition," and added, "In the case of Park Eun-jung, the proportional representation candidate of the Innovation Party for the Nation, her husband received 2.2 billion won in fees from just one fraud case worth about 1.19 trillion won." He continued, "It is even more shocking and surprising that Park appeared on YouTube and said that if that case had received preferential treatment from former officials, they should have earned 16 billion won," pointing out, "She is the number one proportional representation candidate of the Innovation Party for the Nation, which has a representative who committed a crime and received a prison sentence up to the second trial."

Secretary General Jang said, "There are also several problematic candidates from the Democratic Party of Korea, but I believe the public will recognize them," and added, "As the ruling party, rather than having fingers pointed at us, many have been directed at the opposition. There is also the issue that the Presidential Office failed to properly convey public sentiment. I will appeal for one more chance for the ruling party."

The People Power Party is also considering legal action against opposition candidates suspected of real estate speculation and other allegations. Secretary General Jang said, "The Central Election Committee's Clean Election Headquarters is continuously reviewing the matter," and added, "We are at the stage of considering whether just issuing statements to inform the public is sufficient, and we are also reviewing legal action against candidates with serious issues."

He also hinted at unification with the Innovation Party's district candidates. Secretary General Jang said, "From media reports alone, it is unclear what the exact position of the Innovation Party is," and added, "It is not clear whether it is the personal intention of Yang Hyang-ja, the Innovation Party candidate for Gyeonggi Yongin-si Gap, to unify or whether they are proposing to discuss overall unification across all districts where Innovation Party candidates are running." However, he said, "If necessary to win the election, we are open to possibilities and ready to engage in dialogue," and added, "We have left open the possibility of expanding beyond candidate Yang to several other districts."

Meanwhile, he did not agree with the criticism that the one-man leadership system under Han Dong-hoon, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, has reached its limits. Secretary General Jang said, "What matters more than how many voices there are is what message they carry. The opposition simply conveys a message of judging the administration, while Chairman Han delivers policies for the future of the Republic of Korea, which I hope the public will appreciate," and added, "The Democratic Party also has co-chairs for their election committee, but the message is concentrated on Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader."

Regarding the controversy over Chairman Han's harsh remarks, he stated that the campaign would be conducted in a manner appropriate to the public's expectations. The previous day, Chairman Han sparked controversy for saying at a campaign event in Sinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, "Do not belittle politicians. The problem lies with those who act like dogs." Secretary General Jang said, "I understand what that expression meant, and I know it has been changed from the next campaign event," adding, "I think some people among the public may feel that expression was excessive."