"In the Worst Case, We Will Accept It Calmly"
Jo Guk, leader of the Jo Guk Innovation Party, said, "I have no intention of begging President Yoon Seok-yeol for my pardon and reinstatement."
On the 20th, Jo appeared on SBS's 'Pyeon Sang-wook's News Briefing' and, assuming the Supreme Court upholds a prison sentence for charges including his children's admission fraud, stated, "Even if the worst-case scenario occurs, I will accept it confidently and calmly and prepare for future political activities."
He added, "I don't think he (President Yoon) will grant (a pardon and reinstatement)," and said, "If the worst case happens where my Supreme Court ruling is finalized as it currently stands, I will walk that path."
Jo was sentenced to two years in prison in the second trial in February on charges including his children's admission fraud and covering up Blue House inspections, and he has appealed to the Supreme Court. If the appeal is dismissed and the two-year prison sentence is finalized, Jo will lose his parliamentary seat. Additionally, his eligibility to run for office will be restricted for five years after serving the sentence. However, even if the prison sentence is finalized, if President Yoon pardons and reinstates Jo before the 2027 deadline for the next presidential election, he can run.
When asked by the host whether he would run in the presidential election if conditions permit, Jo replied, "That requires several layers of assumptions before I can answer," and said, "Right now, I lack the insight, experience, and background to talk about the presidential election. I intend to focus on achieving results as a party leader and politician in the 22nd National Assembly," withholding further comment.
Regarding his recent press conference where he proposed a constitutional amendment to shorten President Yoon's term by one year and hold the next presidential and local elections simultaneously in 2026, Jo said, "Everyone is worried about what will happen to our country if the national governance policy that President Yoon has maintained for the past two years continues for the remaining three years," adding, "Even conservative media are concerned about shortening the term. President Yoon needs to seriously consider this."
Jo predicted, "Currently, President Yoon probably does not intend to (give up his term), but if the People Power Party suffers a major defeat in next year's by-elections, there will be calls within the party itself to push for a constitutional amendment to shorten the term."
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