Ruling party leader says PPP should face ′harsh judgment′ in June 3 local elections

▲ Jung Chung-rae, leader of the ruling Democratic Party, speaks during a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul on May 13, 2026. (Yonhap)

DP leader-main opposition party

Ruling party leader says PPP should face 'harsh judgment' in June 3 local elections

SEOUL, May 13 (Yonhap) -- The leader of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) said Wednesday that the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) should be harshly judged in the upcoming local elections, stressing the need to wipe out "even the slightest remnants of insurrection" tied to former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law bid.

Rep. Jung Chung-rae made the remarks during a press conference at the National Assembly, a day before candidate registration opens for the June 3 local elections, calling the PPP an "unconstitutional" political party that needs to be dissolved.

"We must ensure that the insurrectionist forces are decisively judged by the public in the local elections and that even the slightest remnants of the insurrection are wiped out," Jung said. "That is why the local elections are so important."

"The PPP should face people's harsh judgment in the June 3 local elections before being subjected to a Constitutional Court review on the dissolution of an unconstitutional political party," he added.

Jung insisted doing so would be a "historic mission" to normalize the country and support the success of President Lee Jae Myung's administration.

He also criticized the PPP for refusing to vote for a constitutional amendment bill that failed to pass the National Assembly last week amid a boycott by PPP lawmakers, saying such a party is "unqualified" to participate in the June 3 local elections. The DP-led proposal was aimed at tightening the rules for declaring martial law.

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