與 'Sosinp'a' Cho Eung-cheon "I probably voted for No. 2 to scold the frustrating Democratic Party"

"It is regrettable that they still seem unable to abandon vested interests and infallible attitudes"

Cho Eung-cheon, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Jo Eung-cheon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) known as a principled faction within the party, sharply criticized the continued advocacy for prosecutorial reform and media reform within the party even after the crushing defeat in the April 7 by-elections, saying, "I cannot help but think that we are still far from it."

In a post on his Facebook on the same day, Jo said, "Compared to the party atmosphere before the by-elections, which was like a temple, it is remarkable, but it is very disappointing that the party still seems unable to abandon the attitude of vested interests and infallibility."

He pointed out, "The primary cause of the by-election defeat was that many citizens felt there was no way to change our party's arrogant attitude other than voting, and despite it not being a public holiday, they came to the polling stations with a solemn mindset and reluctantly voted for candidate number 2."

Jo mentioned prosecutorial reform, real estate policy, and former Justice Ministers Cho Kuk and Choo Mi-ae, questioning, "Wasn't the core force of our party filled with a sense of mission to break through by honoring the will of the people who gave us 180 seats, regardless of public opinion on policies, and to protect the figures regardless of public evaluation?"

He continued, "Despite the strong pressure often exerted by our party's hardcore supporters on the very few ruling party lawmakers who pointed out problems with this attitude of the core force, no one discouraged them; rather, they were defended with flowery words such as 'the energy source of the party.' I think the honest sentiment of the people was that although 'People Power Party' still seemed suspicious, they had no choice but to close their eyes and vote for number 2 to punish the exasperating 'Democratic Party of Korea.'"

He said, "Although we suffered a crushing defeat in this by-election, if we take this loss as an opportunity for reform and change, and boldly push forward reforms through reflection and self-examination, we can aim for a dramatic turnaround in next year's presidential election. However, if the vested interests are not relinquished and internal conflicts intensify with mutual blame, the recent election results clearly show that we will inevitably suffer defeat while sitting still."

Jo cited past opposition party cases, explaining, "After the 2011 Seoul mayoral by-election, the Lee Myung-bak administration rapidly declined. The Grand National Party appointed Park Geun-hye, who was called the opposition within the ruling party, as the emergency committee chairperson, changed the party name to 'Saenuri Party,' even changed the party color to red, which was taboo, and boldly appointed figures like Kim Jong-in and Lee Jun-seok, who were distinct from the existing party mainstream, as emergency committee members, and prominently introduced reformist policies such as economic democratization." Subsequently, the Saenuri Party won the 19th general election in 2012 and the 18th presidential election later that year.

He explained, "After winning the 18th presidential election, the rapidly conservative Saenuri Party suffered a crushing defeat in the 2016 general election, losing the position as the largest party to our Democratic Party due to overlapping incidents such as the 'Yoo Seung-min incident,' 'state-issued textbook controversy,' and 'pro-Park Geun-hye nomination scandal.' The core pro-Park faction should have taken responsibility and stepped down, but instead, they took control of the party at the party convention by putting forward Lee Jung-hyun, known as 'Park Geun-hye's confidant.'"

He added, "This is the dark history of the conservative party that we should take as a lesson. Those who innovated and changed survived, and those who clung to vested interests and refused change died sitting down."

Furthermore, he urged, "I sincerely hope that the party does not obsess over leadership election methods that the public is not interested in, and that this floor leader election and party leader election focus solely on becoming a stage for 'innovation and reflection,' not a competition of 'clarity.'"