On August 15, People Power Party leader Chang Dong-hyuk led an outdoor conservative rally at Seoul’s Jamsil Olympic Park, where he strongly criticized President Lee Jae-myung and characterized the administration’s push for a constitutional amendment as a continuation of dictatorship. According to reports from the event, Chang wore a necklace bearing the likeness of former President Syngman Rhee and read aloud from Rhee’s historical August 15, 1948 address commemorating the establishment of the government and the third anniversary of liberation.
Chang Dong-hyuk Targets Presidential Term Extension
During the rally, Chang invoked the 1948 address to question the current state of public rights in South Korea. “Our ancestors gave their lives to drive out dictatorship and establish democracy, but President Lee is pushing for a constitutional amendment that will extend dictatorship in the Republic of Korea,” Chang told the crowd, as stated in the source material. He urged attendees to block the proposed term-extension amendment, arguing that the administration was prioritizing self-preservation over the country.
Prior to the main gathering, Chang spoke with the online outlet Pen&Mike, issuing a warning to lawmakers regarding the legislative landscape. “Among the 300 members of the National Assembly, those who vote in favor of President Lee’s term-extension constitutional amendment will surely face the judgment of the people and history,” Chang stated in the interview.
Lawmakers and Supporters Turn Out at Olympic Park
Crowds at the Jamsil Olympic Park event waved large South Korean Taegeukgi flags alongside U.S. flags while chanting slogans demanding President Lee’s impeachment and calling for hand-counts in a re-run election following past voting controversies. The gathering drew numerous high-ranking figures from the People Power Party, including senior leadership and lawmakers.
Senior Spokesperson Park Choong-kwon emceed the event, while prominent figures took the stage to greet supporters. The attendees included five-term lawmaker Cho Bae-sook, four-term lawmaker Park Dae-chul, along with lawmakers Jung Hee-yong, Lee In-sun, Park Sung-min, Kang Myung-gu, Koo Ja-keun, Shin Dong-wook, Park Jun-tae, Kim Jang-gim, Lee Jin-suk, Kim Min-jeon, Choi Bo-yoon, Kim Dae-shik, Cho Seung-hwan, and Yoon Yong-geun. Supreme Council members Cho Kwang-han and Kim Min-soo also participated.
Did You Know? Leader Chang Dong-hyuk previously visited the Jamsil Olympic Park multiple times following voting paper shortages during the June 3 local elections, where he concentrated his messaging on election management failures before shifting his primary focus to presidential constitutional reform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main agenda of the August 15 rally?
According to the source material, People Power Party leader Chang Dong-hyuk focused primarily on opposing President Lee Jae-myung’s push for a constitutional amendment to extend presidential terms, framing it as an attempt to prolong dictatorship.
Which historical speech did Chang Dong-hyuk read during the event?
Chang read a speech originally delivered by former President Syngman Rhee on August 15, 1948, which marked the founding of the government and the third anniversary of national liberation.
Which prominent political figures attended the Jamsil Olympic Park gathering?
The rally was attended by numerous People Power Party officials, including Senior Spokesperson Park Choong-kwon, five-term lawmaker Cho Bae-sook, four-term lawmaker Park Dae-chul, and Supreme Council members Cho Kwang-han and Kim Min-soo, alongside approximately a dozen other lawmakers and local party committee chairs.
How will the political debate over constitutional reform shape legislative priorities in the National Assembly moving forward?
Related reading