Jang Donghyuk in Changwon: "We Must End the Monstrous Administration Devouring the People's Freedom"

Calls for Resumption of President Lee's Trial

"We must put an end to this monstrous administration that is devouring the people's freedom."

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, made this statement on the afternoon of November 23 in front of Hanseo Building in Seongsan-gu, Changwon, Gyeongnam, at the "National Rally for Livelihood Recovery and Rule of Law Protection."

Introducing himself as "the Red Speaker who protects the Republic of Korea, defends liberal democracy, safeguards people's livelihoods, and stands up for future generations," Jang strongly condemned the current administration, saying, "A nation that suppresses the freedom of its people has no reason to exist."

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the "National Rally for Livelihood Recovery and Rule of Law Protection" held in Changwon, Gyeongnam. Photo by Lee Seryung

He criticized, "Now, we cannot even hang banners freely, and if the government is uncomfortable, it silences the people's voices first. They are even talking about searching the mobile phones of 750,000 public officials," adding, "This is a reckless administration that disregards the privacy of its citizens."

Jang harshly criticized the current government's livelihood recovery consumption coupons, the Yellow Envelope Act, the retirement age extension bill, the 2026 budget, and the October 15 real estate policy.

He said, "The livelihood recovery consumption coupons have only increased debt for future generations and raised prices, turning into coupons that consume the future and dreams of young people. Lee Jaemyung, who once raised elephants at home, has now become a hippo feeding on the nation's money," he remarked sarcastically.

He continued, "A 1,400 won exchange rate has become the norm. Because of Lee Jaemyung, an economic crisis has become a daily reality in Korea, and if 20 billion won annual investments in the United States become reality, the crisis will only worsen."

Referring to the Yellow Envelope Act, the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, and even stricter commercial laws, he said, "Businesses are gripped by fear and anxiety, and they are giving up on Korea. If there are no businesses, there is no economy, and without an economy, there is no nation."

He also pointed out, "There are now over 700,000 young people who are not working, and the youth employment rate has been declining for 18 consecutive months. Yet, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions is pushing through the retirement age extension bill without sufficient discussion. While Manager Kim works for 30 or 40 years, young people in their 20s and 30s can barely look up to their seniors."

He went on, "Next year's budget, which exceeds 700 trillion won, is a budget that has squeezed every last bit of the future from young people. Even so, it is a divisive budget, splitting people into 'us' and 'them,' and only benefiting one's own side."

Regarding the government's October 15 real estate policy, he criticized, "This is a divisive policy that turns one's own supporters into real estate tycoons, while forcing young people and ordinary citizens into monthly rentals, making them real estate paupers."

At the "National Rally for Livelihood Recovery and Rule of Law Protection" held in Changwon, Gyeongnam, the leadership of the People Power Party and lawmakers from the Gyeongnam region are holding placards. Photo by Lee Seryung

Jang declared, "The rule of law in Korea is already dead. Now, Lee Jaemyung is the law itself. By increasing the number of Supreme Court justices, making every crime innocent, abolishing the crime of breach of trust, canceling indictments, and even eliminating laws when necessary, they would sell out the entire nation for the sake of one person, Lee Jaemyung."

Regarding the prosecution's decision not to appeal the Daejang-dong case, he emphasized, "Giving up the appeal on the 780 billion won case is not just abandoning an appeal, it is abandoning Korea and its people," stressing the need to resume the trial.

He asserted, "It is time for the people to show a red card to Lee Jaemyung. The people must expel Lee Jaemyung, who constantly acts against the market, against human rights, against the rule of law, and breaks the rules. The person who deserves punishment, the person who is destroying the country right now, and the person who must stand before the law and be punished again is Lee Jaemyung."

Jang called out, "Let us keep fighting together until the day Lee Jaemyung steps down from that position, until the day his trial resumes."

The leadership of the People Power Party has been holding the "Red Card for Livelihood against the Lee Jaemyung Administration, National Rally for Livelihood Recovery and Rule of Law Protection" since November 22.

At the rally held in Changwon on this day, party leaders including Kim Minsu and Shin Dongwook, as well as lawmakers Park Daechul, Park Sangwoong, Seo Iljun, Seo Chunho, Shin Seongbeom, Lee Jongwook, and Choi Hyeongdu attended. According to the party, about 3,000 members, citizens, and party supporters gathered.

The People Power Party plans to continue the rallies, having already held them in Busan and Ulsan on November 21, and in Changwon on this day. The rallies are scheduled for November 25 in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province; November 26 in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province; November 28 in Daegu; November 29 in Daejeon and Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province; November 30 in Wonju, Gangwon Province; December 1 in Incheon; and December 2 in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.