Jang Dong-hyuk Reveals Will for Party Reform, 'Opportunities for Those Who Fight'

Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk urged the government to prioritize the declaration of special disaster zones. This stems from the recognition of the need for swift support for residents in disaster-stricken areas.

He also emphasized the need for prompt safety inspections, improved shelter environments, and a comprehensive reorganization of the disaster response system in line with climate change.

Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk evaluated the appointment of lawyer Lee Tae-an as special prosecutor as the most politically neutral candidate being appointed. He urged the special prosecutor to conduct the investigation with a strong will and a heavy sense of responsibility before history.

He predicted that this special prosecutor, with a broad investigative scope covering overall election management and past general and presidential elections, would find the special prosecutor's will to investigate crucial in determining the outcome.

Park Jong-yeon, Department Head, said, “I think among the six candidates recommended, the most politically neutral candidate was appointed. I hope this special prosecutor will approach the investigation with the will and a heavy sense of responsibility before history.”

Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk assessed that fighting alongside citizens at the Olympic Park rally created momentum for the passage of the special prosecutor law and the expansion of investigation targets. He emphasized that the citizens' shouts ultimately led to the special prosecutor, and that this special prosecutor could well be called the 'People's Special Prosecutor'.

Leader Jang mentioned that maintaining public pressure through continuous rallies is important, suggesting that citizens' interest and support are also needed during the special prosecutor's investigation process.

Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk explained the background of reading former President Rhee Syng-man's speeches for the establishment of the government and the 3rd anniversary of liberation. He compared the current crisis in South Korea's security and judicial system to the desperate situation at the time of the nation's founding in 1948, emphasizing that it is time to return to the spirit of that era to revive democracy and protect the future.

He added, “I thought it was content much needed for the current situation in South Korea. Ultimately, it is time to return to the desperation of when the Republic of Korea government was founded, to revive democracy in South Korea, and protect the future of South Korea.”

Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk asserted that only by thoroughly uncovering suspicions of irregularities in the National Election Commission (NEC) through a special prosecutor's investigation can momentum for NEC reform and election system improvement be secured. He predicted that reforms would gain strength when the public recognizes and agrees with the problems of the NEC through the special prosecutor's investigation.

He predicted that the Democratic Party of Korea would show a lukewarm attitude towards NEC reform, but also raised his voice, stating that reforms at the level of NEC dissolution and even the abolition of early voting should be considered.

Leader Jang emphasized that the special prosecutor's investigation would play a decisive role in forming public consensus, pointing out that political will alone is not enough.

Jang Dong-hyuk, Party Leader, said, “When the special prosecutor thoroughly uncovers what problems the NEC has had, and when the public understands and empathizes with those problems, I believe NEC reform and election system reform can gain strength.”

The host relayed public evaluations of Lee Jae-myung's political fate based on the outcome of the Democratic Party's leadership election. It was mentioned that if candidate Kim Min-seok becomes party leader, both Lee Jae-myung and Kim Min-seok are predicted to face political crisis.

Conversely, if candidate Jeong Cheong-rae becomes party leader, while Lee Jae-myung would face political difficulties, the Democratic Party is also predicted to find some breathing room. This reflects concerns that the disappointment and departure of traditional supporters could lead to a party crisis.

Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk firmly rejected the proposal for a trilateral meeting with the President. He drew a line, stating that there was no reason to hold such a meeting as long as the President's attitude or state administration stance did not change at all.

Leader Jang pointed out that demands were not accepted at all in past meetings, criticizing that it would merely be a formal show or a meeting for photo opportunities.

He said, “If the President's attitude or state administration stance does not change at all, I see no reason whatsoever to hold a trilateral meeting.”

Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk analyzed the push for the impeachment of the Chief Justice as political pressure under the guise of trial delays. He pointed out that claims of slow trials contain a hidden political motive to expedite specific cases.

Emphasizing that the right to nominate Supreme Court justices is an inherent power of the Chief Justice, he interpreted this as an attempt by the Presidential Office to secure leadership in appointing Supreme Court justices. He strongly criticized this as a move to infringe upon the independence of the judiciary.

Leader Jang argued that this impeachment push undermines the principle of the separation of powers and clearly intends to shake the neutrality of the judiciary.

He remarked, “To say that trials are slow, that trials are slow, I believe is political pressure to expedite trials in these kinds of cases.”

Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk criticized the push for a constitutional amendment for presidential reelection as an issue with high public opposition. He dismissed it as merely seeking private gain using the presidential office and a trick to defend his own judicial risks.

Leader Jang retorted, “Was the President of the Republic of Korea such a person? Did he show such shamelessness? Was he a person without this much shame?” strongly condemning the behavior as lacking shame and consideration for the public.

Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk strongly criticized Lee Jae-myung's constitutional amendment proposal to shorten the presidential term. He asserted that it is merely a trick for reelection and a strategy that no one, including the public, will believe.

Leader Jang said, “I think the Democratic Party case showed its limits. A person who, to avoid even one won of loss, could do such a shameful thing as president, would then meekly shorten his term to amend the constitution for the future of Korea. I believe not only a child but even a passing dog would not believe that.”

Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk expressed a negative stance, stating that constitutional amendment discussions themselves are impossible as long as Lee Jae-myung is president. He defined that the prerequisite for constitutional amendment is not 'not running for reelection,' but rather Lee Jae-myung himself is an obstacle to constitutional amendment.

Leader Jang emphasized, “I believe the prerequisite for a constitutional amendment is not ‘not running for reelection’ but that constitutional amendment discussions themselves are impossible as long as Lee Jae-myung is in the position of president. Lee Jae-myung himself, though he claims a constitutional amendment is necessary for the future of South Korea, is the very obstacle blocking a constitutional amendment for South Korea.”

Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk analyzed that the pledge to relocate the National Assembly and Presidential Office to Sejong City is a means to secure justification for a constitutional amendment. He predicted that President Lee Jae-myung would ignite the flame of a reelection constitutional amendment by embedding governance structure reform and strengthening parliamentary powers while pursuing a constitutional amendment to shorten the term.

Leader Jang stated, “While relocating the National Assembly to Sejong, Lee Jae-myung, during his presidential candidacy, said he would move the Yongsan Presidential Office to Sejong and then the Presidential Office to Sejong within his term. He would then say, ‘We need a constitutional amendment to do that, so let's amend the constitution,’ and in the process of amending the constitution, he would also push for a constitutional amendment for governance structure and strengthening parliamentary powers, thus igniting the fire for a reelection constitutional amendment.”

Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk raised concerns about a foreign policy and security crisis, referring to breaking news that the ROK-U.S. joint military drills were prematurely ended and reduced in scale. He criticized that despite the importance of the ROK-U.S. alliance emphasized by the opposition party, the public, and the media, it ultimately led to the collapse of the ROK-U.S. alliance.

He emphasized that trust in Korea had declined since the Trump administration, expressing concern about the current government's foreign policy and security policies.

Jang Dong-hyuk, Party Leader, stated, “While I was on my way here, breaking news already came out. The ROK-U.S. joint military drill period has been shortened and its scale reduced. It is now confirmed. Even though our opposition party, the public, and all media spoke about the importance of the ROK-U.S. alliance, the result was ultimately the collapse of the ROK-U.S. alliance.”

Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk reflected on the past year, marking his first anniversary in office, stating, “It's been one year, but I feel like I've been party leader for several years.” He mentioned spending most of the past year resolving party chaos and various internal party conflicts that arose from it.

Leader Jang emphasized that it is now time for the party to achieve complete change through internal reform, particularly stressing the importance of party reform after the local elections.

Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk strongly criticized the party for failing to properly recognize who and where they should be fighting, instead being bogged down in internal divisions. He pointed out that while the indictment of lawmakers by the special prosecutor is clear oppression of the opposition, the party is not properly standing up to it.

He criticized the current situation, where the focus is on internal squabbles rather than attacking the government's failures in ROK-U.S. relations or economic issues, emphasizing that such an approach will never lead to victory.

Leader Jang urged the party to reorganize its ranks through internal constitutional improvement and personnel changes, and to move forward to truly confront those they should be fighting.

He stated, “Ultimately, the target and place we should be fighting are elsewhere, but because we are continuously fighting different battles in different places, we are not fighting properly.”

Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk, judging now as the opportune time for replacing local party chapter heads in preparation for the upcoming general election, revealed a high-intensity innovation plan. He emphasized, “I will replace local party chapter heads who are not working and those unlikely to be elected in the next general election, with capable and electable individuals.”

He stated his adherence to the principle of replacing local party chapter heads in even-numbered years, promising to actively reflect party members' opinions by introducing a democratic selection process through member voting.

Leader Jang expressed his will to strengthen the party's capabilities through this replacement and lay the groundwork for victory in the general election.

He said, “I think now is the opportune time,” revealing his firm conviction for change.

The speaker raised questions about Minister Kim Jung-kwan's unusual trip to the United States. They pointed out that his sudden visit to the U.S. on the 16th had no scheduled return date, emphasizing the abnormal situation.

The speaker explained, “Kim Jung-kwan's sudden visit to the U.S. on the 16th is strange. First, there's no definite return date. He said he would stay until talks conclude.”

This was analyzed as reflecting a very high level of trade pressure from the U.S. side, suggesting the possibility of prolonged negotiations.

The speaker focused on Ambassador Michelle Steel's brooch fashion worn on her black suit. This, they explained, evoked the way former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright used brooches to convey political meaning.

The speaker added, “Ambassador Michelle Steel is wearing a brooch on the left lapel of her black suit. There was a very famous Secretary of State named Madeleine Albright. She conveyed her political meaning through brooch fashion, which is very simple yet powerful, isn't it?” This was interpreted as an intentional symbol to convey the serious atmosphere in U.S. political circles.

The speaker strongly criticized the provisional deployment plan related to the relocation of Gwangju Military Airport. The plan to disperse military airport functions to Yecheon, Seosan, and Chungju was deemed an unrealistic 'patch-up' measure given the scale of a fighter wing.

The speaker criticized, “I see it as simply a patch-up in two words. Does one flight squadron go to Yecheon base, where? It's not sending one or two planes. That's an absurd provisional deployment. There are other things to deploy provisionally, my friend.”

This suggested that the provisional deployment plan was a hasty administrative measure that did not consider actual military operations or infrastructure, and was evaluated as an action more focused on evasion than problem-solving.

Reporter Park Sang-gyu mentioned the differing perspectives between the ruling and opposition parties regarding the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON). In particular, he pointed out that Rep. Ahn Gyu-baek evaluated the OPCON transfer as the most important defense reform during his tenure, claiming that young generations living without OPCON felt heartbroken.

Reporter Park expressed a critical stance on these claims. He stated, “He picked it as the most important defense reform during his tenure, as the top priority. He said something like this: ‘Young generations living without OPCON feel heartbroken.’”

This suggests that the OPCON transfer should not be approached simply emotionally but should consider practical defense capabilities and security posture.

Reporter Park Sang-gyu asserted that Roh Moo-hyun's special law for Yongsan Park had a significant impact on the legal responsibility for its development. He explained that this special law restricts the current development direction.

Reporter Park stated, “Because of Roh Moo-hyun's special law, the leftists have to change that in 20 years,” suggesting a conflict between the current government's housing supply measures and the direction of Yongsan Park development.

Reporter Park Sang-gyu harshly criticized the current government's housing supply policy. He emphasized that the public prefers private sales over public rentals, pointing out that government policy is ignoring these market demands.

Reporter Park stated, “The public wants private sales. They want sales, not rentals,” underscoring that current policies are not meeting the public's actual housing needs.

He also raised issues regarding supply timing and policy effectiveness, criticizing the current government's supply measures as being detached from reality.