"Strange and Uncomfortable Compared to Outside, but Trying to Adapt"... Jo Guk Releases 'Letter from Prison'

"I will live with the humblest heart from the lowest place"

Former leader of the Joguk Innovation Party, Cho Guk, who was sentenced to two years in prison for charges including admission fraud involving his children and covering up Blue House inspections, has sent his first letter from prison to party members.

On the 17th, the Joguk Innovation Party released Cho’s message to party members through its official Facebook page. Cho began by saying, "I deeply appreciate you seeing me off on the cold morning of the 16th," and apologized, "I am sorry I could not greet each of you personally as I came in." He added, "I carry in my heart the faces of those who gave passionate support and encouragement, and those who shed tears they had held back," and said, "Everything here is unfamiliar and uncomfortable compared to outside. However, I am calmly accepting and trying to adapt." He continued, "Sleeping on a blanket, my shoulders and back ached, and the cold wind came in, so I had to cover my head with the blanket, but I slept well on the first night."

Former Cho Kuk, former leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, who was sentenced to 2 years in prison for charges including admission fraud involving his children and covering up the Blue House inspection, is seen clenching his fist toward supporters before being incarcerated in front of Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province on the morning of the 16th. Photo by Yonhap News

Cho also spoke about the impeachment trial of President Yoon Seok-yeol. Regarding the 21st general election process and the impeachment struggle against President Yoon, he described it as "a series of miracles," saying, "Despite the shock of the Supreme Court ruling suddenly announced on December 12, it was a great joy and moving moment to witness the National Assembly’s impeachment resolution against 'the ringleader of the rebellion' Yoon Seok-yeol on December 14." He added, "The wave of 'cheering sticks' filling Yeouido is something I will never forget in my lifetime."

Cho said, "It is a new beginning. The Constitutional Court’s decision will take about two months, followed by the presidential election 60 days later," and warned, "The coup conspirators, including the 'ringleader of the rebellion,' will use any means to resist the Constitutional Court’s decision and investigations." He referred to the ruling party, the People Power Party, as the "party complicit in the rebellion," and pointed out, "They will not quietly hand over power."

Furthermore, he said, "There is not much I can do here. Everyone, please work harder on my behalf," and urged, "Now we must conclude the impeachment and become the driving force for regime change and social reform." In closing, Cho stated, "The ringleaders of the rebellion have been defeated and will face strict punishment. The party complicit in the rebellion will also be judged. The people will win again," and added, "I will live with the humblest heart in the lowest place." In a postscript, he wrote, "Although I am in a solitary confinement cell like a one-person room in a goshiwon, I keep my body active with jumping in place and squats. Everyone, please exercise."