Cho Kuk, Tense Exchange with the Democratic Party: "Elections Are Originally Like That... Competing on Who Does Better"

Competition in 10·16 By-Election... "Must Compete for Yeonggwang Regional Development"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Jo Guk, leader of the Jo Guk Innovation Party, commented on the 10·16 by-elections held in Yeonggwang and Gokseong, Jeollanam-do on the 21st, regarding the rivalry with the Democratic Party, saying, "Since there is some competition, there are mutual criticisms, but isn't that how elections usually are?" He added, "We should compete over who can do better for the development of the Yeonggwang region."

Jo made these remarks while attending the opening ceremony of the campaign office for Jang Hyun, the candidate for Yeonggwang County governor. This statement is interpreted as a rebuttal to the Democratic Party, which has a stronghold in Honam and has been criticizing the Innovation Party over the Yeonggwang and Gokseong county governor by-elections.

The Democratic Party criticized Jo and others for not participating in the vote on the 'Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act' during the National Assembly plenary session on the 19th, citing their support for local elections, and claimed that the Innovation Party is stirring up infighting within the opposition camp.

At the opening ceremony, Jo emphasized, "In past Yeonggwang elections, voters' choices were somewhat monotonous, but now it has become more exciting," adding, "(The residents) will look at which party's candidate is better and what the candidate's capabilities are."

However, Jo stated, "We will join hands with the Democratic Party until the end to judge the Yoon Seok-yeol administration," and said, "For better policies and better development of Yeonggwang, the Democratic Party and the Innovation Party want to compete fairly."