"Jogeuk Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison" Confirmed... Sin Jangsik Calls It "Yun Seokyeol's Coup"

Shin Jang-sik, Member of the Joguk Innovation Party, "The leader was taken away"
"Is the party leader who received 6.9 million support at this time being ignored?"

Jo Guk, leader of the Jo Guk Innovation Party, was sentenced to two years in prison on charges including 'child admission fraud.' Following this, party member Shin Jang-sik stated, "While we respect the verdict, as a legal professional and citizen, it is difficult to accept this ruling." The Jo Guk Innovation Party has begun procedures to succeed the proportional representation seat as Jo Guk loses his parliamentary position.

On the 12th, immediately after Jo's sentencing, Shin released a statement saying, "Today, we have lost Jo Guk," and added, "Even the word 'lament' cannot fully express our current feelings." He continued, "At this time, is it necessary for our community to imprison the leader of the Jo Guk Innovation Party, who had the support of 6.9 million citizens?" and "The political sphere must clean up the chaos created by President Yoon Seok-yeol." Nevertheless, he added, "Although Jo Guk will become a prisoner, the Jo Guk Innovation Party will steadfastly continue its work."

Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, is voting on the special prosecution law for First Lady Kim Keon-hee at the National Assembly plenary session on the 7th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

He stated, "Looking back, 'Yoon Seok-yeol's coup' began with the investigation of Jo Guk," and claimed, "President Yoon and the prosecution did not acknowledge the president who appointed them nor the Minister of Justice who holds command authority over them." He further wrote, "They tried to destroy him and still do," and "I hope the Supreme Court carefully considers whether today's ruling is based on such cruel prosecution investigations." Jo Guk was nominated as Minister of Justice during the Moon Jae-in administration in 2019 but was indicted in December of that year on allegations including child admission fraud. At that time, President Yoon, then Prosecutor General, and Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae were in severe conflict.

With the Supreme Court upholding the second trial's prison sentence today, Jo Guk will be detained and lose his parliamentary seat. He will also be ineligible to run in the next presidential election. Accordingly, the Jo Guk Innovation Party is expected to find a successor for the vacant proportional representation seat. Previously, floor leader Hwang Un-ha stated, "If a situation arises where the proportional representation seat must be succeeded after the sentencing, the procedure will be completed as soon as possible so that the successor can participate in the vote on President Yoon's impeachment motion."