조동연 Hints at Resignation... Ruling Party's Talent Recruitment Stumbles from the Start

Jo Dong-yeon "I will bear the burden, so stop making my family suffer"
Resignation announced less than a week after recruitment
"Only causing feelings of deprivation" Some ruling party members criticize it as a 'showy recruitment'

Jo Dong-yeon, Co-Chairman of the Election Countermeasures Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] As Jo Dong-yeon, the co-chair of the Democratic Party's joint election countermeasures committee, officially expressed his intention to resign amid a privacy controversy, the ruling party's dilemma over his future is expected to deepen. Concerns are emerging that the ambitious 'Youth Talent Recruitment' campaign, launched to boost support among the 2030 young generation, is facing difficulties from the start.

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party, stated at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 3rd, "Jo Dong-yeon expressed his intention to step down from his position during a phone call this morning," adding, "I asked people to please stop attacking his children." He continued, "I plan to meet Jo in person this weekend to have several conversations and make a judgment."

Jo had virtually announced his resignation the day before (the 2nd) in a post on his Facebook. He wrote, "I will bear this burden, so please stop making my innocent family suffer. Even without that, it has already been a very difficult time," and added, "I sincerely thank you all and apologize. Goodbye."

Earlier, Kang Yong-seok, a lawyer affiliated with the conservative YouTube channel 'Garosero Research Institute' (Gaseyeon), claimed on the 30th of last month that he had received tips regarding Jo’s personal life, including his divorce.

Kim Jin-wook, spokesperson for the Democratic Party's election committee, warned at the time, "We will take strong legal action against the spreading of false information," but Kang responded, "I have thoroughly and 100% fact-checked everything," and said he would counter-sue the Democratic Party.

◆Talent Recruitment Faces Difficulties from the Start... Criticism of 'Showy' Approach

Given the situation, the Democratic Party's dilemma over Jo’s future is expected to deepen. Earlier, Democratic presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung announced Jo’s appointment personally on the 30th of last month.

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, is taking a commemorative photo with attendees at the press conference announcing the appointment of joint standing election committee chairpersons held on the 30th of last month at the central party office briefing room in Yeouido, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

Candidate Lee emphasized Jo’s background as a soldier with deployment experience, a scientist who studied aerospace engineering, and a working mom in her 30s, welcoming him as "someone who will lead the Democratic Party’s election committee towards a young future." It was also reported that Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party, showed great enthusiasm by visiting Jo four times to persuade him to join.

However, less than a week after the ambitious talent recruitment began, the ruling party is now discussing Jo’s future. It has become difficult to avoid criticism that this was a 'showy recruitment' lacking proper prior personnel screening.

Criticism has also been raised within the party about whether Jo was a suitable youth talent. At the 'Republic of Korea Great Transition Election Committee Public Forum' held at the Yeouido party office on the 2nd, a staff member said, "There was honestly a lot of public criticism about whether these recruited talents truly represent 'ordinary people like me' or are appealing youth talents," and added, "Please recruit talents that are convincing, not those that only give youth a sense of deprivation."

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party has stated it will make a careful decision regarding Jo’s resignation. At a press conference at the National Assembly on the 3rd, Leader Song said, "(Jo) is not a candidate for the National Assembly or a ministerial nominee, but someone who joined the election committee to support Lee Jae-myung for 97 days," and requested, "Please let the public judge whether it is appropriate to attack his family and personal life over a divorce that happened 10 years ago, especially since he is not a candidate."