Political Circle Judges High Possibility of Jo Guk Running in General Election
Voices Within Democratic Party Advise "Need to Rethink Thoroughly"
The possibility of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk running for office is shaking the Democratic Party of Korea. While the political sphere views Cho's potential candidacy highly, there are concerns that it could become a negative factor in the election.
On the 14th, Jang Kyung-tae, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, appeared on YTN Radio's "News King with Park Ji-hoon" and said, "The process of restoring Cho's honor is not something to request from the Democratic Party, academia, or the media. I believe it is something that should be requested from the people. Ultimately, the various discussions related to Cho himself should be evaluated by the public through politics." He added, "I think the possibility of him running (in the general election) is very high."
Earlier, starting from April 19, Cho held a book concert to communicate with citizens, and on the 10th of this month, he visited former President Moon Jae-in, expanding his public activities. Through social networking services (SNS), Cho stated, "On the 10th, I visited President Moon after a long time, briefly volunteered as a bookstore keeper at Pyeongsan Bookstore, shared some solo drinks, and then returned home." He added, "In a time of regression and backwardness where everything about the Moon Jae-in administration is denied and disparaged, I am contemplating what must be done. I will walk the 'roadless road' without a map or compass." The phrase 'roadless road' is being interpreted in the political sphere as his intention to run in the general election.
When asked whether Cho could run as a Democratic Party candidate, Supreme Council member Jang said, "He is not a party member at the moment," and added, "It is inappropriate to comment on the candidacy of someone who is not a party member." Regarding the impact on the election landscape, he said, "I believe it will not affect the general election."
Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk is attending the book concert "A Walk Through Legal Classics in Advanced Countries" held at EXCO in Buk-gu, Daegu on the afternoon of the 26th of last month. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Yoon Young-chan, a Democratic Party lawmaker who worked with the Moon Jae-in administration at the Blue House, expressed a sympathetic view toward Cho on SBS Radio's Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show but drew a line regarding his candidacy. Yoon said, "Personally, I feel unfortunate about the Cho Kuk incident," and shared his thoughts, "I feel that Cho and his family have been subjected to judicial punishment much harsher than the acts they committed." However, regarding Cho's candidacy, he stated, "We need to organize our thoughts about what it means to our national community beyond our personal issues," and added, "I think a process of careful consideration is necessary."
He continued, "Cho's candidacy has not yet been confirmed, nor do I believe he has made a firm decision," and said, "Above all, there will be a thorough reflection on how his candidacy will affect our Democratic Party and the entire democratic camp." Yoon also said, "What the Democratic Party needs now is a process of changing the party toward the future, and going back to the past does not seem very desirable."
Within the ruling party, there is generally an expectation that Cho's candidacy will have a positive effect on the party in the general election. Kim Jae-won, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party whose party membership is currently suspended, said on KBS Radio's "Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs," "Whether Cho runs as an independent or otherwise, the public will think he belongs to the Democratic Party, and for the People Power Party, it will be like 'Cho Kuk Incident 2,' so it might not be bad," but he also expressed concern, saying, "If Cho runs and pollutes the election scene, it will become a chaotic mess again."
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