Jo Kyoengtae, the Most Senior Incumbent in People Power Party, Voices Internal Criticism
"Solely Pro-Yoon Figures Seem to Be Leading the Election"
"Public Sentiment Worsening in Busan... Lee Jaemyung Must Clarify KDB Relocation"
Jo Kyoengtae, a six-term incumbent lawmaker from the People Power Party, pointed out that the Kim Moonsu presidential campaign is "not the Kim Moonsu camp, but the Yoon Sukyeol camp." On the 15th, during an interview on YTN's "Shin Yul's News Frontline," Jo stated, "If you look at the current election campaign committee, it is not a pro-Kim Moonsu committee, but a pro-Yoon Sukyeol committee," adding, "Not only the floor leader, but also key figures on Yoon Sukyeol's side are either his own people or pro-Yoon figures."
Jo further remarked, "Didn't the Kim Moonsu camp recruit lawyer Seok Donghyun, who was part of former President Yoon's impeachment defense team, as the head of the Special Committee on Civil Society?" He continued, "If the election is fought with only pro-Yoon figures, I wonder whether our party will have any chance of winning."
After news of lawyer Seok's recruitment broke the previous day, the Democratic Party of Korea criticized, "We sense candidate Kim's resolve to obstruct the end of rebellion and to prevent the people's judgment of Yoon Sukyeol, the ringleader of the rebellion," and asked, "Is the intention to turn it into a headquarters of rebellion, filled with remnants of rebellion, defenders of rebellion, and far-right extremists?"
Recently, the People Power Party's campaign committee also came under scrutiny for appointing Jeong Hoyong, a former Minister of National Defense and a key figure in the new military regime during the Fifth Republic, as a senior advisor. Jeong had served a prison sentence for his involvement in the 12·12 military coup and the suppression of the 5·18 Gwangju Democratization Movement. After controversy, he was dismissed from the post. Jo commented, "The biggest problem with our People Power Party is this lack of historical awareness."
Jo stated, "The very reason we are having a presidential election now is due to the imposition of martial law," adding, "Because of the illegal and unconstitutional martial law, we are holding a presidential election. In that case, we should be extremely cautious and seriously consider issues related to the 5·18 incident or the military regime, but we are failing to properly recognize these aspects."
Regarding public sentiment in his own constituency of Busan, Jo said, "Busan is a sacred ground for democratization, as it was the site of the Buma Democratization Protests," adding, "Because it is a city that fought to achieve democracy, there is generally a strong sentiment against accepting martial law." He also pointed out, "In the recent by-elections, the progressive candidate for Superintendent of Education in Busan received over 50% of the vote, and in the neighboring city of Geoje, the People Power Party candidate lost to the Democratic Party of Korea candidate by as much as 18%. This is a situation where we cannot afford to let our guard down."
However, regarding Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jaemyung's pledge to relocate the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and HMM to Busan, Jo criticized, "To be credible, he must first clearly explain why the relocation of the Korea Development Bank to Busan has not been properly resolved." He emphasized, "If the relocation of the Korea Development Bank headquarters has not even been properly carried out, then pledges to relocate the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries or domestic shipping company HMM to Busan may be seen by the public as empty promises made just to win votes," adding, "He must also clarify his position on the relocation of the Korea Development Bank headquarters."
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