[Anchor] The special prosecutor probe into alleged fabricated indictments has emerged as a central issue in the local elections. The Democratic Party is favoring a slower approach to avoid unnecessary controversy, while the People Power Party has launched an all-out offensive to consolidate conservative voters. Reporter Jung Da-ye has the story. [Reporter] The Democratic Party has framed the special prosecutor investigation into alleged fabricated indictments as a historical obligation and has repeatedly stressed its legitimacy. Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party, said, "This is part of the process of restoring judicial normalcy. To deny legitimate relief to victims simply because the accused is the president violates the spirit of the Constitution." As some members urged caution over issues such as granting the power to withdraw indictments, the party moved to head off further controversy — but debate continues. Within the party, voices from Yeongnam and the Seoul metropolitan area publicly warned that the move could mobilize conservative voters and argued the matter should be deferred until after the local elections. Kim Boo-kyum, the Democratic Party's candidate for Daegu mayor, said, "Consider the position of candidates working hard in difficult regions... please proceed with greater deliberation." The leadership had initially signaled a fast-track special prosecutor bill, but repeated backlash and President Lee Jae-myung's call for deliberation have made slowing the pace more likely. Party Secretary-General Jo Seung-rae said there are a range of opinions on timing and substance and that the party plans to hold internal discussions. The People Power Party seized the opportunity to mount a broad offensive aimed at reversing public opinion before the vote. It sharply escalated its rhetoric, invoking phrases such as "a supreme dignity second only to North Korea's Kim Jong-un." Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, said, "This 'special prosecutor to erase Lee Jae-myung's crimes' adds unconstitutionality upon unconstitutionality — a full-package unconstitutionality. You might as well enact an 'Lee Jae-myung Supreme Dignity Act.'" Standing committees, including the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, held emergency hearings and targeted the Blue House, accusing it of deceiving the public as if the matter were someone else's problem. Conservative candidates in the Seoul metropolitan area also rallied and declared a joint campaign. Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, said, "This special prosecutor law aimed at wiping out every criminal charge against President Lee Jae-myung is a grave act of undermining the rule of law." The possibility of a united conservative electoral front was raised, but Cho Eung-cheon, the Reform New Party's candidate for Gyeonggi governor, reiterated that he has no plans to join such a coalition. This is Jung Da-ye for Yonhap News TV. [News review] For Yonhap News TV article inquiries and tips: KakaoTalk/Line jebo23; Jung Da-ye (yeye@yna.co.kr)
Will the Special Prosecutor's Investigation Impact the 2026 Local Elections?
Jeong Da-ye. | 2026.05.05
[Anchor] The special prosecutor probe into alleged fabricated indictments has emerged as a central issue in the local elections. The Democratic Party is favoring a slower approach to avoid unnecessary controversy, while the People Power Party has launched an all-out offensive to consolidate conservative voters. Reporter Jung Da-ye has the story. [Reporter] The Democratic Party has framed the special prosecutor investigation into alleged fabricated indictments as a historical obligation and has repeatedly stressed its legitimacy. Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party, said, "This is part of the process of restoring judicial normalcy. To deny legitimate relief to victims simply because the accused is the president violates the spirit of the Constitution." As some members urged caution over issues such as granting the power to withdraw indictments, the party moved to head off further controversy — but debate continues. Within the party, voices from Yeongnam and the Seoul metropolitan area publicly warned that the move could mobilize conservative voters and argued the matter should be deferred until after the local elections. Kim Boo-kyum, the Democratic Party's candidate for Daegu mayor, said, "Consider the position of candidates working hard in difficult regions... please proceed with greater deliberation." The leadership had initially signaled a fast-track special prosecutor bill, but repeated backlash and President Lee Jae-myung's call for deliberation have made slowing the pace more likely. Party Secretary-General Jo Seung-rae said there are a range of opinions on timing and substance and that the party plans to hold internal discussions. The People Power Party seized the opportunity to mount a broad offensive aimed at reversing public opinion before the vote. It sharply escalated its rhetoric, invoking phrases such as "a supreme dignity second only to North Korea's Kim Jong-un." Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, said, "This 'special prosecutor to erase Lee Jae-myung's crimes' adds unconstitutionality upon unconstitutionality — a full-package unconstitutionality. You might as well enact an 'Lee Jae-myung Supreme Dignity Act.'" Standing committees, including the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, held emergency hearings and targeted the Blue House, accusing it of deceiving the public as if the matter were someone else's problem. Conservative candidates in the Seoul metropolitan area also rallied and declared a joint campaign. Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, said, "This special prosecutor law aimed at wiping out every criminal charge against President Lee Jae-myung is a grave act of undermining the rule of law." The possibility of a united conservative electoral front was raised, but Cho Eung-cheon, the Reform New Party's candidate for Gyeonggi governor, reiterated that he has no plans to join such a coalition. This is Jung Da-ye for Yonhap News TV. [News review] For Yonhap News TV article inquiries and tips: KakaoTalk/Line jebo23; Jung Da-ye (yeye@yna.co.kr)
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