"'Say Jo Guk'... Jo Guk Prepaid 333 Drinks in Yeouido as a 'Farewell Gift'"

"Accept It in My Name" Prepayment Notice
Supreme Court Confirms 2-Year Prison Sentence
Proportional Representation Seat, Baek Seonhee Lawmaker Succession

Former leader of the Innovation Party, Jo Guk, made an advance payment at a cafe in Yeouido on the 14th for participants of the rally calling for the impeachment of Yoon Seok-yeol. Jo Guk Facebook

Former leader of the Joguk Innovation Party, Cho Kuk, who was sentenced to two years in prison on charges including his children's admission fraud and the cover-up of Blue House inspections, announced a prepaid coffee event for rally participants as a 'farewell gift.'

On the 13th, Cho posted on his social media account, "I have prepaid 333 drinks at 'Monthly Coffee Yeoui Main Branch' for Joguk Innovation Party members and citizens attending the Yeouido rally on 12/14 (Sat). Please mention my name when you receive them. This is a small farewell gift."

Earlier, on the 12th, the Supreme Court confirmed his two-year prison sentence, resulting in the loss of his party leadership and proportional representation seat in the National Assembly. After the verdict, he held a press conference at the National Assembly, saying, "Every moment spent with you as party leader was a precious gift," and added, "I will fulfill my responsibilities as a citizen who abides by the law and principles. I may pause briefly, but this does not mean a retreat for the Joguk Innovation Party."

Former leader of the Joguk Innovation Party, Cho Kuk, who was sentenced to 2 years in prison by the Supreme Court for charges including admission fraud involving his children and covering up Blue House inspections, held a press conference at the National Assembly on the 12th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

The Democratic Party of Korea expressed deep regret over the confirmation of Cho's prison sentence, stating, "Despite being a victim of prosecutorial abuse of power, he accepted the verdict, saying he would fulfill his responsibilities as a citizen who respects law and principles." They criticized, "The prosecution has consistently turned a blind eye to the endless allegations against Kim Geon-hee, such as stock manipulation and luxury bag bribery, while wielding a ruthless sword against Cho, showing a double standard that leads to ruin." Furthermore, they said, "Over the past few years, the prosecution has run rampant with targeted investigations and smear campaigns against opposition figures," and warned, "Reflect on whether the prosecution, which has abused investigative and prosecutorial powers to realize 'selective justice,' truly deserves to stand proudly before the people."

As a result, Kim Seon-min, who ranked first in the recent supreme council election, assumed the role of acting leader of the Joguk Innovation Party, and the proportional representation seat was succeeded by Baek Seon-hee, a professor in the Department of Social Welfare at Seoul Theological University, who was number 13 on the Joguk Innovation Party's proportional representation candidate list. On the 13th, after taking the oath as a member of the National Assembly at the plenary session, Representative Baek said, "I have succeeded to the National Assembly seat in these harsh times, and I feel a heavy responsibility," adding, "I immediately participated in the impeachment vote. I will inherit former Representative Cho's passion for the people and his earnestness for democracy."