Cho Kyeongtae: "Those Under Special Counsel Investigation Should Leave the Party Voluntarily"

Six-Term Lawmaker, Most Senior in People Power Party
Stresses, "The Party Must Respond Proactively to the Special Counsel"

Representative Kyeongtae Cho, who has declared his candidacy for party leader in the August national convention, emphasized, "Among the many tasks the Innovation Committee must undertake, the top priority should be personnel reform." On July 10, in an interview with YTN Radio's 'News Fighting,' Cho began by stating, "Our party must respond more proactively to the Chae Sangbyeong special counsel and the insurrection special counsel."

Kyeongtae Cho, member of the People Power Party. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Cho said that if the lawmakers who are subject to the special counsel investigation do not voluntarily leave the party, "the party must take very strong action, as this is the only way to earn the public's trust." He continued, "Yoon Sukyeol's emergency martial law, as can be seen from Proclamation No. 1 of the Martial Law Commander, contains measures that suppress the people's freedom and democracy," adding, "A president who points a gun at the very people who are the true owners of this country is not qualified to be president."

He went on to say, "Those who sided with or remained silent about this must be thoroughly investigated and held strictly accountable through this opportunity; that is justice and common sense." "The public is fully aware of the tyranny of the ruling and majority parties. However, the necessary special counsel investigations must be conducted. Special counsel investigations such as the Chae Sangbyeong special counsel and the insurrection special counsel are essential to resolve the public's suspicions," he explained.

Regarding the insurrection special counsel investigation into the illegal 12·3 martial law, in addition to the Chae Sangbyeong special counsel, he stated, "If there are politicians or groups who either supported or were involved in the insurrection, this is the opportunity to thoroughly identify them." This contrasts with the perspective of the party mainstream, which, after the Kim Gunhee special counsel team raided the home and office of Representative Yoon Sanghyun on July 8, defined the special counsel investigation as 'political retaliation' and launched an internal party organization to mount a strong response.

Regarding Representative Ahn Cheolsoo, who resigned as head of the Innovation Committee and declared his candidacy for the convention, Cho said, "I believe politicians must be honest," and pointed out, "He initially talked about a white paper, but when a reporter asked about personnel reform, he said, 'I will pursue the plan that was unanimously agreed upon in the meeting.' I hope he will clarify that part." Regarding former leader Han Donghoon, who is rumored to be running for the convention, Cho said, "Whether he runs or not, I respect his decision."

In conclusion, he reiterated his call for reform, saying, "Unless we thoroughly innovate with the mindset of rebuilding the party from the ground up, our party cannot survive, and defeat in next year's local elections is as clear as day." As a six-term lawmaker and the most senior member of the People Power Party, Cho recently announced his intention to run as a candidate for party leader in the national convention expected to be held in August.