In the Guestbook, a Spelling Mistake... "Gohi Jamdeusoseo"
Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk visited Gwangju on the 5th to pay respects at the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery. This has led to interpretations that Cho, who hinted at the possibility of running in next year's general election, is embarking on a full-fledged political path.
That morning, Cho Kuk visited the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju. After offering flowers and incense, he sequentially visited the graves of May 18th missing persons, unknown martyrs, and Park Gwan-hyun, a martyr who was the president of the student council at Chonnam National University.
On the morning of the 5th, former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk visited the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju, and wrote in the guestbook. [Image provided by National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery] [Image source: Yonhap News]
Before the visit, Cho Kuk wrote in the guestbook, "Reflecting on the spirit of May 18th, I will look back on myself and take a step forward. Rest in peace." The word '고히' appears to be a typographical error of '고이' (meaning 'peacefully').
Cho Kuk: "I Cannot Live by Flattering the Yoon Administration"
On the morning of the 5th, former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk is paying respects at the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju. [Image provided by National May 18th Democratic Cemetery] [Image source: Yonhap News]
On the same day, Cho Kuk appeared on the YouTube channel 'Kim Eo-jun's Difficult News Factory' and hinted at the possibility of founding a new political party. When asked, "Are you forming the Cho Kuk New Party?" he replied, "Is it possible to live by flattering the Yoon Seok-yeol administration? I cannot remain silent," adding, "I will play the role I can."
He continued, "I have lived my life with the calling of a scholar, but now I am in a situation where I cannot fulfill the role of a scholar," and said, "I deeply feel that 'the role as a scholar has come to an end.'"
He also expressed his intention to form a new party regardless of whether the electoral system returns to a parallel system or maintains a semi-proportional representation system. When the host interpreted this as meaning he would play a role regardless of the system, Cho agreed, saying, "I cannot remain silent. I think I cannot just quietly curl up and live in a back room."
"I Have to Lift at Least One Stone"... Hints at Running in the General Election
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]
Earlier, at a book concert for his book Tears of Dike held in Gwangju the previous day, Cho Kuk also expressed his intention to run in next year's general election.
At the event, Cho said, "I think I have to lift at least one stone." He added, "In fact, I have lived thinking of myself as a scholar throughout my life, and even while serving as the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, I planned to return to being a scholar, but after the 2019 incident, the path back to being a scholar was blocked," and said, "It is sad, but I am facing the reality that my role as a scholar has ended."
He continued, "The strong arguments in Tears of Dike are not just to express anger over what my family and I suffered after 2019," but rather, "I believe that the current 'new inspection system' must come to an end, and through that, the declining livelihood economy must be revived."
He said, "In the past, I lived a life of planning, practicing, and pushing forward, but after 2019, I realized things do not go my way," and added, "I think I should entrust myself to the hearts of my comrades and the people."
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