"BTS Running for Office? Supreme Court Ruling Does Not Affect the National Assembly"
Jo Guk, leader of the Jo Guk Innovation Party, explained the reason for proposing the 'Han Dong-hoon Special Prosecutor Act' as his first pledge by saying, "It is to apply the slogan that Han Dong-hoon, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, used during his time as a prosecutor to himself."
On the 14th, Jo appeared on KBS Radio's 'Jeonggyeok Sisa' and mentioned three suspicions related to Chairman Han, stating the need to propose the special prosecutor law. He said, "Regarding the 'accusation solicitation suspicion' involving prosecutor Son Jun-sung, the Corruption Investigation Office also suspected collusion between Han Dong-hoon and Son Jun-sung," adding, "However, Han Dong-hoon, who was then the chief prosecutor, did not unlock the twenty-something digits of his cellphone password, so the collusion charges were not revealed and the investigation did not proceed."
He also said, "Regarding the dismissal lawsuit of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol at the time, the first trial ruled that the disciplinary action was justified, but Han Dong-hoon, then Minister of Justice, replaced the Ministry of Justice's lawyer who was representing the case," adding, "This shows an intention to lose the case and there are charges of abuse of power and neglect of duty."
Jo also touched on the suspicion of 'admission corruption' involving Chairman Han's child. He said, "In the case of Chairman Han's daughter, eleven types of admission corruption allegations were made public, and a Kenyan who actually ghostwrote a thesis admitted to writing it. Two English papers were judged to be plagiarized and were canceled," adding, "However, no investigation or search was conducted, not even at the school in Incheon where Chairman Han's daughter attends."
Regarding criticism from the ruling party that his candidacy is 'bulletproof,' Jo responded, "It is true that I was convicted in a lower court. However, I appealed to the Supreme Court because I do not agree with the fact-finding and legal application of the lower court's ruling," adding, "Simply being convicted does not mean I can give up the constitutional fundamental rights granted to me as a citizen."
He emphasized, "If the Supreme Court ultimately confirms the guilty verdict, I will naturally comply," and added, "But until then, I will do my best."
When asked about concerns that his judicial risks could cause exhausting conflicts, he said, "I do not understand the term 'judicial risk' itself," adding, "The Supreme Court's ruling cannot influence the National Assembly."
Meanwhile, Jo explained that the clear stance of the Jo Guk Innovation Party contributed to its progress. He said, "The irresponsibility, incompetence, and immorality of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration reached their peak over the past two years, but there was no political force that directly pointed this out and strongly criticized it," adding, "The Jo Guk Innovation Party stepped up to strongly criticize the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's failures and presented alternatives, which I believe gained popularity among the people."
Regarding the party's support base, he explained, "Supporters of the Reform Party and the existing Justice Party are supporting the Jo Guk Innovation Party," adding, "Many citizens who are called centrists are coming to the Jo Guk Innovation Party."
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