'Party Leadership Challenge' Jo Kyung-tae: "Cannot Give Up Yeongnam"

Jokyungtae, a member of the People Power Party, is holding a press conference announcing his candidacy for party leader at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 11th. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Boryeong] Jo Kyung-tae, a member of the People Power Party, officially announced his candidacy for the party leader election. Despite the controversy of being a 'rebranded Yeongnam Party,' he strongly expressed his stance that he cannot abandon Yeongnam.

On the 11th, Jo held a press conference at the National Assembly to announce his candidacy for the party leader election, stating, "I will become a party leader who unites the people and party members as one."

Jo emphasized that he is a "man strong in elections." Since being elected as a member of the 17th National Assembly, he has succeeded in being elected five times. He said, "The party leader should be someone who knows how to win elections," adding, "With my election experience and passion, I will definitely lead next year's presidential election to victory."

He also highlighted that he is the candidate who knows the ruling party best. Jo moved his party affiliation from the Democratic Party to the People Power Party. He said, "I fought alone against the pro-Moon Jae-in hegemony in the Democratic Party for 12 years. I know better than anyone the true face of President Moon Jae-in and the Democratic Party," adding, "I will remove the mask of the Moon Jae-in administration that deceived the people and prove the image of a governing party with solid policy alternatives."

Along with this, he presented five pledges for the people and party members. These included the institutionalization of a 'consultative body between demanders and suppliers' to solve real estate issues, returning party authority to party members, providing additional points for party members in public election primaries, and establishing a policy organization led by youth.

He refuted the 'rebranded Yeongnam Party' controversy circulating within the People Power Party. When asked about the Yeongnam Party during a meeting with reporters after the press conference, Jo responded, "Then should we abandon Yeongnam?" He continued, "In the party leader election, we must confidently ask the will of the party members and strive to be elected," emphasizing, "We cannot abandon or give up Yeongnam. Yeongnam is a very precious asset of our party."

He also took a jab at his rival candidate for party leadership, Kim Woong. Jo said, "There is only a two-year age difference between Kim Woong and me. Who should you choose between a first-term lawmaker in their early 50s and a five-term lawmaker in their early 50s?" adding, "I became a member of the National Assembly at 36; where else can you find such a young lawmaker?"