Jo Hae-jin: "The phrase 'Great Awakening' used at the luncheon for the defeated... No response from Yoon"

"Age Group? No Hope if Public Sentiment Goes Against"

Jo Hae-jin, a member of the People Power Party, revealed that direct criticism of President Yoon Seok-yeol emerged during a luncheon with People Power Party lawmakers who lost, were not nominated, or did not run in the 22nd general election, including the expression "self-awakening."

On the 25th, Jo appeared on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' and said that criticism of party and government operations over the past two years was raised at the luncheon. He stated, "The rejection of different voices within the party and attacking them as internal sabotage was led by so-called 'Yoon core insiders,' so that part may have been the most painful for the President to hear."

Rep. Jo Hae-jin of the People Power Party is discussing election system reform issues in his office at the National Assembly Members' Office Building. Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@

However, President Yoon reportedly did not show any special reaction to these remarks. Jo said, "(President Yoon) just listened," adding, "He gave opening and closing remarks twice, but there was no comment on that. Statements like 'I am deeply reflecting on my shortcomings' and 'I feel sorry that the government could not be of help during the difficult election' seem to be meaningful political messages."

Jo also conveyed that opinions on the causes of the general election defeat were exchanged during the luncheon. He said, "After regaining power, we talked about how to proceed for the next five years, saying we just need to do the opposite of what the Moon Jae-in administration did for five years, but there was criticism that we ended up doing the same things as the Moon administration," adding, "One of the reasons for the defeat mentioned was that the party was divided internally because of differing voices."

He added, "There was criticism that our party and government operations over the past two years had fundamental problems, and going forward, diverse voices must be reflected in state governance. The composition of the party leadership and party operations must be completely different from before."

Regarding the 'age alliance' between Na Kyung-won, a non-Yoon (anti-Yoon Seok-yeol) elected member from Seoul Dongjak-eul, and Lee Cheol-gyu, a three-term pro-Yoon core lawmaker, Jo opposed it, saying, "If we go against public sentiment, there is no hope."

Jo said, "The golden time that will determine the success or survival of the party's three-year term is one to two weeks," adding, "If the party does not completely renew itself in this situation, it will become a system that can no longer dream of regaining power. The formation of the current floor leadership and party leadership is crucial for the survival and existence of our conservative party."