Democratic Party's Third-Term Reflection Letter Omits Jo Guk Incident

Focus on Restoring People's Livelihood and Economy Emphasized
Kim Young-jin "Deeply Reflect on Party Members' Criticism"
"Diagnose Problems and Find Innovative Solutions"

[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon and Jeon Jin-young] Following the first- and second-term lawmakers of the Democratic Party, third-term lawmakers discussed party reform measures on the 13th. On this day, the third-term lawmakers expressed a strong sense of responsibility and reflection regarding the public sentiment confirmed in the April 7 by-elections, as the party’s core members. Previously, first-term lawmakers apologized for the sense of deprivation among youth caused by the ‘Cho Kuk incident,’ and second-term lawmakers pointed out the painful core issues such as the lack of ‘gender sensitivity’ in empathy with the public, continuing the reflection statements. However, unlike the first- and second-term lawmakers, there was no mention of the Cho Kuk incident.

On the morning of the same day, 18 out of 25 third-term Democratic Party lawmakers attended a meeting held at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building to discuss the causes of the crushing defeat in the April 7 by-elections and future improvement directions. The meeting, which started at 8 a.m., lasted about three hours. Given the previous criticisms such as ‘internal bickering’ and ‘stop dividing us’ regarding the intensity and level of self-reflection by first- and second-term lawmakers, there is a trace of careful consideration to approach the matter with prudence, reflecting the weight carried by the third-term lawmakers.

The focus of the day was on the responsibility for the by-election defeat and party reform measures to regain the turned-away public sentiment. Lawmaker Yoon Kwan-seok said to reporters immediately after the meeting, “We will thoroughly reflect and introspect on the public sentiment confirmed through the April 7 by-elections and take the lead in bone-cutting innovation.” He added, “I empathize with and respect the opinions and awareness of problems raised in the meetings of first- and second-term lawmakers, and as a third-term lawmaker who plays a central role in the party, I will take greater responsibility, engage in more reflection, and work intensely to solve issues in the field of livelihood policies.”

It is known that there was no mention of the former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk incident during the meeting. When asked whether there was any separate discussion about the Cho Kuk incident, Lawmaker Yoon replied, “There was no discussion.” Previously, 81 first-term lawmakers wrote a reflection letter on the ‘Cho Kuk incident’ on the 9th, right after the April 7 by-elections, and were strongly criticized by hardline supporters. In contrast, 49 second-term lawmakers, at their meeting the day before, expressed active sympathy with the first-term lawmakers’ reflection message and indirectly mentioned the Cho Kuk incident while issuing a message of reflection.

Kim Young-jin, acting floor leader, said at the floor countermeasure meeting on the same day, “I empathize with the awareness of problems among first-, second-, and third-term lawmakers,” and added, “From first-term to senior lawmakers, we will deeply heed the diverse opinions of all lawmakers and the criticisms of party members, accurately diagnose the problems, and find definite solutions for innovation.”