Jomin "Sharp Increase in General Election Coverage, Feeling Fatigue"
Some in the Opposition Stir Rumors of Jomin's Candidacy...Debate Over Appropriateness
The Democratic Party of Korea has set the nomination criterion as a 'final ruling by the Supreme Court,' raising the possibility of former Minister Cho Kuk and his daughter Cho Min running in next year's general election. The book concerts held together by the father and daughter, as well as their active social networking service (SNS) activities, support the 'Cho Kuk-Cho Min appearance theory.' Prominent figures in the political sphere have also predicted the duo's entry. However, Cho Min drew a line by stating, "I have never thought about entering politics."
On the 11th, Cho Min posted on her social networking service (SNS), "I have seen a rapid increase in media reports suggesting I might run in next year's general election. I feel fatigued," adding, "Although the situation is difficult, I am continuing medical volunteer work without giving up my dream of living as an emergency medicine doctor."
Cho Min's distancing via SNS is due to the candidacy rumors circulating mainly in political circles. Especially recently, as the Democratic Party set the nomination criterion as a final ruling by the Supreme Court, attention has been drawn to former Minister Cho's potential candidacy. Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Jie-won said on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' that "It seems former Minister Cho will run (in the general election). (If not) they might put forward Cho Min," adding, "You can tell by what they are doing."
He said, "Why are they repeatedly exposing themselves to the media and making such things known? It means they are already testing the waters considerably," and added, "That person (Cho Min) is wronged. And since she is a doctor, she has sufficient skills and experience. These days, it would be good for the younger generation to enter the National Assembly and convey a new youthful voice." However, he expressed a negative view on joint candidacy, saying, "If the father and daughter run together, if that happens, I would follow them and tell them not to run together."
Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Gun-young also commented on the rumors of former Minister Cho's candidacy on MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' saying, "Anyone who is a citizen of the Republic of Korea has the freedom to run," and "What is right for the person and which path to take is their choice, but the important thing is that the judgment on whether that choice is right is made by the people."
Kang Hoon-sik, the representative of 'The Future,' the largest group within the Democratic Party, also emphasized on CBS Radio the day before that the party cannot prevent former Minister Cho and Cho Min from running. He said, "I have not yet heard any deep judgment or statements regarding former Minister Cho's candidacy, but if we are open, transparent, and competitive, I think we should discuss accepting anyone who can join us."
It is not only opposition figures who predict former Minister Cho's candidacy. Shin Pyeong, a lawyer known as 'President Yoon Suk-yeol's mentor,' predicted his candidacy on KBS's 'Joo Jin-woo Live' on the 4th, saying, "I cannot say who I am, but I directly heard from a high-ranking government official that there is a possibility of former Minister Cho running, and if he runs, it is highly likely he will choose Gwanak Gap and Eul."
However, some are skeptical about Cho Min's candidacy. Democratic Party lawmaker Jang Cheol-min said on BBS's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal,' "If you ask whether someone like Cho Min has the symbolism and image to change politics, I am not sure how many people would agree," adding, "Of course, if the candidacy means running alone, not with these two major parties, then there is nothing much to say about that."
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