Jokook "Holding Supreme Council Meeting in Yeonggwang to Listen to Public Sentiment"
Kim Minseok "Must Resolve Based on Competitiveness"
The Joguk Innovation Party is putting all its efforts into the upcoming elections, including managing schedules at the sites of the October 16 by-elections for basic local government heads following the Chuseok holiday. However, there are frictions with the Democratic Party, which is from the same progressive camp, over unification in some electoral districts.
On the 19th, the Joguk Innovation Party held an on-site Supreme Council meeting in Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do. This on-site Supreme Council meeting is the second, following the one held on the 12th in Geumjeong-gu, Busan. At the Supreme Council, Joguk Innovation Party leader Jo Guk said, "Holding the Supreme Council here in Yeonggwang-gun is to listen directly to the voices of the people in the sea of public sentiment, not in Yeouido," adding, "Some ask if we must fight the Democratic Party in Honam, and I respond by telling them to try buying a brand-new, latest-model frying pan with excellent thermal conductivity."
By comparing the Joguk Innovation Party to a latest-model frying pan, it implies that the party can more clearly reflect the public sentiment of the Honam region than the major opposition party, the Democratic Party. Leader Jo continued, "Has there ever been such national interest in a by-election for a county governor in the Honam region?" and emphasized, "It is possible because the Joguk Innovation Party has entered the competition and presented better candidates and policies."
Cho Kuk (left), leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, is living on a monthly rent in Gokseong County, Jeollanam-do, meeting with farmers to support Park Woong-du (right), candidate for the 10.16 by-election for re-election as Gokseong County Governor, Jeollanam-do, on the 16th. 2024.9.16 Provided by Park Woong-du preliminary candidate's side. [Image source=Yonhap News]
During the Chuseok period, key figures of the Joguk Innovation Party focused their efforts on regions where by-elections were held. On the 16th, Leader Jo visited Monk Deokmun, the head of Hwaeomsa Temple in Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do, and together with Joguk Innovation Party candidate Park Woong-du for Gokseong-gun county governor, visited a barbershop located in Seokgok-myeon, Gokseong-gun. Additionally, on the 17th and 18th, they visited Geumjeong-gu, Busan, touring the commercial districts with Joguk Innovation Party candidate Ryu Je-hwa for Geumjeong-gu district head. Hwang Un-ha, the party’s floor leader, also supported the campaign by meeting merchants in Geumjeong-gu on the 15th and 16th.
The Joguk Innovation Party aims to use this by-election as a turning point toward becoming a mass party. Floor leader Hwang said, "Some might say it’s a fuss over electing county governors and district heads in relatively small counties like Yeonggwang-gun and Gokseong-gun, but due to each party’s reasons, it has become a nationwide election where party capabilities must be concentrated," adding, "(This by-election) is an opportunity to lay the foundation as a sustainable mass party and an alternative force."
In opinion polls, the Joguk Innovation Party is showing unexpectedly strong performance. According to a poll conducted by Realmeter, commissioned by Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters in cooperation with Namdo Ilbo and News1 Gwangju-Jeonnam Headquarters, from the 10th to 11th among 506 men and women aged 18 or older residing in Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do, for the Gokseong-gun county governor candidate support, Democratic Party candidate Jo Sang-rae received 59.6%, while Joguk Innovation Party candidate Park Woong-du received 18.5%, showing a large gap. On the other hand, for Yeonggwang-gun county governor candidate support, Joguk Innovation Party candidate Jang Hyun received 30.3%, and Democratic Party candidate Jang Se-il received 29.8%, a close race within the margin of error (95% confidence level ±4.4 percentage points).
However, there are differing positions regarding candidate unification. The Joguk Innovation Party insists on unification for the Geumjeong-gu district head, but the Democratic Party remains relaxed. Floor leader Hwang said, "To judge the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, an anti-Yoon Seok-yeol unified front must be established," adding, "The Democratic Party has not yet responded regarding unification, and we urge an active and progressive attitude toward unification."
Kim Min-seok, senior Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, said at a press briefing the day before, "(The by-election) is the most important moment for the democratic forces to unite and pave the way for regime change," but also responded, "Regarding unification, there is a tradition of naturally resolving it based on competitiveness, both in principle and common sense."
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