Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on the 18th regarding the first prison letter from former leader of the Joguk Innovation Party, Cho Guk, "There is always Cho Guk in the Joguk Innovation Party."
On the same day, during a meeting at the National Assembly with Kim Seon-min, acting leader of the Joguk Innovation Party, Lee said, "It feels like a big void. I cannot shake off the feeling of pain and regret."
Earlier, the Supreme Court's 3rd Division (Presiding Justice Eom Sang-pil) on the 12th upheld the original sentence sentencing Cho, who was indicted on charges including forgery and use of private documents, obstruction of business, and violation of the Anti-Graft Act, to two years in prison and a fine of 6 million won. Accordingly, former leader Cho was incarcerated at Seoul Detention Center on the 16th. He was later transferred to Anyang Prison, with a scheduled release date of December 15, 2026.
Regarding former leader Cho, Lee said, "I saw in today's article that his shoulders were aching and he seemed not to have adapted to the environment," adding, "Although he is not present here right now, there is always Cho Guk in the Joguk Innovation Party."
He continued, "(Former leader Cho) said 'three years is too long,' and having played a leading role as an icebreaker, although amid confusion, it seems that the beginning of problem resolution has been opened as a result."
Lee also mentioned strengthening cooperation with the Joguk Innovation Party. He emphasized, "There are many things our Democratic Party cannot easily do. They are playing a very leading role, and I hope that going forward, we can share roles and cooperate to create a democratic and innovative country where the people are properly recognized as the owners of the nation."
Acting leader Kim responded, "The National Assembly should maintain its center and many opposition parties that participated in the impeachment approval should take the lead in stabilizing state affairs," adding, "We must promptly cooperate to pass again the livelihood recovery support fund, supplementary budget, Yellow Envelope Act, and other rejected bills directly related to people's livelihoods, and strive for the stabilization of the people's livelihood."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
