Controversy Over Attorney Lee Jong-geun's Retainer... Shin Jang-sik Asks, "Why Should Prosecutor Park Eun-jung Be Held Responsible?"

"Ijaemyeong-Joguk Rivalry Possible... Not for Now"

Park Eun-jung, the number one proportional representative candidate of the Joguk Innovation Party, became embroiled in controversy over allegations of preferential treatment and excessive fees involving her spouse, lawyer Lee Jong-geun. In response, Shin Jang-sik, the party's chief spokesperson, said on the 3rd, "Why should Prosecutor Park be held responsible together? Prosecutor Park Eun-jung is Prosecutor Park Eun-jung."

Spokesperson Shin appeared on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' that day and said, "Lawyer Lee expressed regret from the public's perspective and terminated the contract," adding, "Why should Prosecutor Park be held responsible together?" He continued, "If we are to hold people accountable by association, then who is the person whose mother-in-law is in prison, who has a father-in-law involved in the Korea Minting and Security Printing Corporation strike inducement case, and who is the person who quit being a prosecutor due to a brother-in-law's sexual assault case? Do we have to ask all these by association?"

Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, is posing with Shin Jang-sik, a lawyer selected as the first recruit, at the "Cho Kuk New Party Founding Preparation Committee Talent Recruitment Announcement" held at a movie theater in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, on the morning of February 25. Photo by Yonhap News

Regarding the expected number of seats for the Joguk Innovation Party, he said, "We are aiming for 10 seats," and added, "At the Incheon City Party founding convention, the representative also mentioned 10 seats plus alpha." However, he added, "Personally, the goal is for the Democratic United Party, and even including the Reform New Party, to occupy two-thirds of the 46 proportional seats, which is 31 seats, among parties that are not Kim Geon-hee's shield party."

On the speculation that after the general election, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, and Cho Guk, leader of the Joguk Innovation Party, could become presidential rivals, he said, "There is a logical possibility," but emphasized, "So far, Representative Cho himself has never thought about running for president, and I do not think he has the qualifications and qualities as a political novice."

He also dismissed the possibility of a merger between the Democratic Party and the Joguk Innovation Party. Spokesperson Shin stated, "We are in the same boat, but we are not riding the same boat," and firmly said, "There is no (merger) with the Democratic Party."

Furthermore, he emphasized the distinction between the Joguk Innovation Party and the Democratic Party. He said, "We have said that we will fight from the very front to the very end," adding, "The Democratic Party is an inclusive party that covers even the moderate faction, and because it is so large, it is appropriate for it to move cautiously. We are a fast ship, a combat vessel, so we can move more quickly, and there is a division of roles like that."