Cho Kuk, Defeated in Jeonnam Gokseong and Yeonggwang, Says "Not the End but the Beginning"

On the 19th, the Joguk Innovation Party, which failed to produce elected candidates in the October 16 by-elections, visited Gokseong and Yeonggwang in Jeonnam to offer concession greetings.

On the morning of the 19th, Jo Guk, leader of the Jo Guk Innovation Party, is greeting residents who supported him during the October 16 by-election on the streets of Okgwa-myeon, Gokseong-gun, Jeollanam-do.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Joguk Innovation Party leader Jo Guk and floor leader Hwang Unha met with voters at the Okwa Traditional Market in Okwa-myeon, Gokseong-gun, Jeonnam, along with Park Ungdu, the candidate for the Gokseong-gun re-election.

Leader Jo said, "Although the residents warmly encouraged and supported us, we lost due to our shortcomings. The election is over, but this is not the end; it is the beginning. We will strive to fulfill the policies and bills promised during the re-election and prepare for the next local elections."

In the afternoon, they moved to Yeonggwang and expressed gratitude to the local residents around Yeonggwang Terminal Market together with Jang Hyun, the candidate for the Yeonggwang-gun re-election.

Leader Jo stated, "As a newly established party with a lack of organization, the residents of Yeonggwang gave us enthusiastic support. Although the results did not go as we wished, we saw hope. We will find what needs to be done for innovation in local politics and local administration," he promised.

In the Gokseong-gun re-election held on the 16th, Park Ungdu of the Joguk Innovation Party received 35.85% of the votes, losing to the Democratic Party's Jo Sangrae, who won with 55.26%.

In Yeonggwang, candidate Jang Hyun secured 26.56%, placing third behind Democratic Party's Jang Seil (41.08%) and Progressive Party candidate Lee Seokha (30.72%).