Cho Kuk "I hoped to meet Yoon at Seoul Detention Center" Letter from Prison

Cho Kuk Reveals New Letter... 'Prison Politics' Even While Incarcerated
"Considers Himself Above the Law"... Strong Criticism of Yoon
"Constitutional Court Will Unanimously Decide to Dismiss Yoon"
Regarding His Supreme Court Verdict, "Cannot Accept but Will Endure"

Former Representative of the National Innovation Party, Cho Kuk, and the letter he sent from prison. Photo by Hyunmin Kim, Facebook of Congressman Chunsang Jeong

Former leader of the Joguk Innovation Party, Cho Guk, who was confirmed by the Supreme Court last month on charges including his children's admission fraud and is currently imprisoned at Seoul Detention Center, has once again sent a letter from prison to the party's lawmakers.

On the 8th, Jung Chun-saeng, a lawmaker of the Joguk Innovation Party, revealed Cho's letter written on the 4th through his Facebook. In the letter, Cho extended New Year's greetings to the Innovation Party lawmakers, starting with "I am adapting well to life here."

Cho wrote, "Yesterday, January 3rd, I couldn't do anything because I was watching the news about the execution of an arrest warrant for Yoon (President Yoon Seok-yeol)," adding, "I was 'expecting' to meet Yoon at Seoul Detention Center, but it was canceled." He also added a smiling emoticon '^^'. He strongly criticized President Yoon, calling him "a crazy tyrant who ignores even court warrants," and said, "Since his time as Prosecutor General, he has considered himself above the law and above the state, flaunting his power." He further stated, "The re-execution of the arrest warrant or the application for a pre-arrest warrant will follow, but in any case, he cannot avoid a heavy sentence," and predicted, "The Constitutional Court will unanimously decide to dismiss (President Yoon). The dismissal will happen by the end of March at the latest."

A letter sent from prison by former leader of the National Innovation Party, Cho Kuk. Jung Chunsang's Facebook

Additionally, Cho urged the Innovation Party lawmakers, saying, "Due to Yoon's coup, the political schedule has changed," and added, "In the huge changes leading from the 2025 presidential election, the 2026 local elections, the 2028 general elections, to the 2030 presidential election, we must once again play the roles of 'icebreaker' and 'tugboat.' Only then will the party and individual lawmakers survive." He continued, "I understand that after my imprisonment, the party's approval rating has either dropped or remained steady. As we enter the presidential election phase, the 'polarization phenomenon' will intensify, and it may drop further," but emphasized, "Do not be impatient. We still have plenty of time even after this presidential election."

Regarding his life in detention, he mentioned, "I watch almost all of the lawmakers' broadcasts and YouTube appearances, of course through written transcripts," and said, "I am trying to keep my mind and body strong. After doing full-body stretching three times a day, I can bend forward well enough to touch the floor with my entire palm. I also do one hour of outdoor exercise daily, running enough to sweat even in the cold."

About his Supreme Court ruling, he said, "I still cannot accept it, but I have to endure it," and self-assessed, "Legally, I may have 'lost,' but politically, I have 'won.'" Cho was indicted on the 16th of last month on charges including his children's admission fraud and covering up Blue House inspections, and was sentenced to two years in prison by the Supreme Court, currently serving his sentence at Seoul Detention Center. Since his imprisonment, Cho has continued his 'prison politics' by sending several letters to Innovation Party lawmakers and supporters.