"Determined to 'Lift at Least One Stone'": Has Cho Kuk Firmed Up His Decision to Run in the General Election?

Indicating Possible Run in General Election Followed by Visit to 5·18 Democratic Cemetery
"Starting Full-Scale Political Activities" Interpretation Emerges

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, who had attracted attention due to speculation about his candidacy in the general election, gave a positive response when asked about his intention to run in next year's election, saying, "I have the mindset that I need to lift at least one stone." Along with this, as Cho paid respects at the Gwangju National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery, analysis followed that he might be starting his full-fledged political activities ahead of the general election.

On the 5th, Cho appeared on the YouTube channel 'Kim Eo-jun's Humility is Difficult News Factory' and, when asked about forming a new party, replied, "Isn't it impossible to live by flattering the Yoon Seok-yeol administration? I can't remain silent," adding, "I will play the role I can."

Cho said, "I have lived my whole life with the calling of a scholar, but now I am in a situation where I cannot fulfill the role of a scholar," and added, "I deeply feel the thought that 'my role as a scholar has ended.'"

On the same day, Cho paid respects at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju. In the guestbook, he wrote, "Reflecting on myself while thinking of the spirit of 5·18, I will take a step forward. Rest in peace."

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk is speaking at the 'Tears of Dike' book concert held on the afternoon of the 4th at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Some interpret this as Cho embarking on full-scale political activities ahead of the general election. Cho had also expressed his intention to run in the election the day before. On the 4th, at a book concert for his book Tears of Dike held at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Gwangju, when asked about forming a new party and running in the general election, he stated, "I don't know exactly what it is, but I have the mindset that I need to lift at least one stone."

He said, "Publishing a book and making strong statements is not simply an expression of anger over the trials my family has faced since 2019," adding, "The dictatorship of the new prosecution following the new military regime must end, and I believe the declining livelihood economy must be revived."

In political circles, there is growing weight on the possibility of Cho forming a new party. Ko Min-jung, a member of the National Assembly from the Moon Jae-in administration's Blue House, said on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' when asked whether Cho's new party would help the Democratic Party in the general election, "I strongly believe that the outcome of this general election will be determined by various forces coming together rather than the Democratic Party facing the Yoon Seok-yeol administration alone."

Seo Yong-ju, the Democratic Party's full-time deputy spokesperson, appeared on SBS's 'Pyeon Sang-wook's News Briefing' and said, "The May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement became the cornerstone of democracy, which is why politicians visit here," adding, "When Cho visited, I believe he had already decided to run."

On the morning of the 5th, former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk is paying respects at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju. [Image source=National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery, Yonhap News]

The People Power Party is criticizing Cho Kuk's candidacy for the general election. Yoon Hee-seok, senior spokesperson for the People Power Party, said, "He is saying he will lift a stone that should not be lifted now," and criticized, "I hope he does not lift the stone."

Yoon appeared on YTN's 'News Live' that day and said, "He says his role as a scholar has ended, but it ended a long time ago. How many people really remember Cho Kuk as a scholar?" adding, "He is just a politician who tried to engage in politics but has been criticized by the public due to various criminal issues involving his family, and he is trying to do politics to evade that situation."