Has Cho Kuk Firmed His Decision to Run in the General Election?... Democratic Party Keeps Distance

Chinmyeong Kim Young-jin "Restoring Honor by Running? Is It Appropriate?"
Park Ji-won "Founding a Party Is Preferable... Likely to Run in Gwangju and Seoul"

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk's potential candidacy in next year's general election, depending on the ongoing trial results, has complicated the Democratic Party's internal dynamics.

There are concerns that if Cho, who has been embroiled in controversies such as his children's admission scandals, runs for office, the party might once again face the challenge of "crossing Cho Kuk's river." While there is a strong base of supporters backing Cho, within the Democratic Party, there is a view that his candidacy could lead to the loss of moderate voters in the Seoul metropolitan area. Among some conservative circles, a slang term "Jonattaeng" (meaning "Thank you if Cho Kuk runs") has even emerged.

Kim Young-jin, the Chief Political Coordination Officer and a pro-Lee Jae-myung faction member, said in an interview on June 7th with YTN Radio's "News King Park Ji-hoon" that "Politics and running for a parliamentary seat do not seem to be a means of restoring honor," adding, "It is necessary to carefully consider the appropriateness and timing of restoring honor through political candidacy." This was interpreted as a negative stance toward Cho's potential run.

Jeong Cheong-rae, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, also appeared on KBS Radio's "Strong Current Affairs" on June 7th and said, "Cho Kuk is not a member of the Democratic Party. How could he run under the Democratic Party if he is not a member?" Regarding the possibility of Cho running as an independent or under a new party, he said, "I don't know well. It's something to watch," avoiding a definitive answer.

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In political circles, there is also analysis that Cho might form a new party or run as an independent. Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won appeared on the YouTube channel "Kim Eo-jun's Humility is Difficult News Factory" on June 7th and said, "Cho Kuk has the strongest fandom among politicians in our country," adding, "Forming a new party or running as an independent would be desirable."

Park explained, "Cho himself probably does not want to join the Democratic Party, and it would be a burden for the party as well, so it is not desirable. There are still many moderate voters who hold quite negative views about Cho."

Park identified Seoul or Gwangju as the likely constituencies for Cho's candidacy. He mentioned that he had previously met Cho and recommended running in Gwangju, but also considered Seoul, where Cho currently resides, as a strong possibility.

Meanwhile, Cho Kuk was sentenced to two years in prison in the first trial for charges related to his children's admission scandals and the cover-up of Blue House inspections, and is currently undergoing an appeal trial.