Cho Ungcheon Criticizes "Eodaemyung" Primary: "A Unique System Unseen in Democracy... This Is Why I Left"

Democratic Party Presidential Primary: Lee Jaemyung's Unchallenged Lead
Cho Ungcheon: "No Intra-Party Democracy at All"
"The Necessary Condition for the Presidential Election Is to Be Anti-Lee Jaemyung"

Cho Ungcheon, former lawmaker of the Reform New Party, commented on the prevailing "Eodaemyung" (an abbreviation meaning "Lee Jaemyung is inevitably the next president") atmosphere in the Democratic Party's presidential primary, saying, "This is a unique system I have never seen in a democratic country," and added, "This is why I left the Democratic Party." In a YouTube interview with Maeil Newspaper's "Iltanews" on April 22, Cho argued, "The necessary condition for this presidential election is to be anti-Lee Jaemyung."

Cho Ungcheon, former lawmaker of the Reform New Party. Photo by Asia Economy

Cho, a former Democratic Party member recruited by former President Moon Jaein, said, "If you include friendly parties, the Democratic Party currently has close to 190 seats, a number that allows them to do anything except amend the Constitution," and added, "Over the past three years, they have unilaterally pushed through bills containing harmful provisions. They have carried out 30 impeachment motions, handled the budget on their own, and set the legislative schedule as they pleased. With their power in Yeouido, they have not cooperated with the executive branch at all." He continued, "The executive branch actually operates based on laws and the budget, but it has not been able to exert its proper authority," and added, "That is how things have been for the past three years."

Cho stated, "Looking at the Democratic Party primary this time, (Lee Jaemyung's) approval rating is 90%," and evaluated, "There is no internal party democracy where diverse thoughts, opinions, and factions express their views, interact, compromise, and create something within that process." He also pointed out, "Now, administrative power could be added to that situation. For example, with the so-called 'Yellow Envelope Act,' they could impose heavy fines, or say, 'If you're wealthy or own two houses in Gangnam, we'll make you regret it,' and impose heavy taxes. Until now, the presidential office in Yongsan has blocked these with vetoes. But if the order is given to 'make it that way,' and the law is passed and sent up, why would a veto be exercised? There would be no way to stop it."

He continued, "If (Lee Jaemyung) comes to power, the next administration will change many things irreversibly, to the point of no return," and asserted, "On top of that, the courts are surprisingly sensitive to political pressure. If that happens, legislation, the judiciary, and the administration will all be simplified and the government will run according to the will of one person." He added, "In a word, that's dictatorship. We are now facing that situation," and said, "That is why being anti-Lee Jaemyung is a necessary condition."

He stated, "The reason I left the Democratic Party is because I believe 'without a multi-party system, this country cannot function,'" and argued, "We need to create a structure where things cannot be done without compromise and negotiation. We must work toward a system that can break the winner-takes-all structure, such as a multi-party system and a runoff voting system."

He also said, "In order for moderates to comfortably support 'anti-Lee Jaemyung,' the People Power Party must sever ties with former President Yoon. Only then can cooperation be possible," and evaluated, "They must reflect on issues like impeachment and the martial law crisis, present a vision for the future, and lead the way." He continued, "When moderates ask, 'Will you break the law and the Constitution at will again when the time comes?' and 'Why do you never address these issues?' there needs to be a process to answer those questions," and added, "In other words, I believe that forming a political reform alliance of 'anti-Lee, non-Yoon' is necessary to make the fight worthwhile."

On the 18th, at the Sangam MBC Studio in Mapo-gu, Seoul, candidates Lee Jaemyung (from the right), Kim Kyungsoo, and Kim Dongyeon are taking a commemorative photo during the first TV debate of the 21st presidential candidate Democratic Party primary. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

As the Democratic Party's primary to select its presidential candidate passed its halfway point on April 20, Lee Jaemyung is solidifying his dominance with a cumulative vote share approaching 90%. Including the results from the Chungcheong region vote the previous day, the cumulative vote shares are Lee Jaemyung at 89.56%, Kim Dongyeon at 5.27%, and Kim Kyungsoo at 5.17%. Starting April 23, the Democratic Party plans to begin the Honam regional primary, which accounts for about 30% of all full party members with voting rights.