First Facebook Post After Release Expresses Gratitude and Political Resolve
"I Will Devote My Efforts to the Success of the Lee Jaemyung Administration and President Lee Jaemyung"
"Far-Right People Power Party Must Be Held Accountable Again"
"If Reinstated, I Will Humbly Return to the People... Embracing All Opposition in Politics"
Former leader of the National Innovation Party, Cho Kuk, is greeting the public as he is released from the Southern Seoul Detention Center in Guro-gu, Seoul, on the 15th under the special pardon and reinstatement measures for Liberation Day. Photo by Yonhap News
Cho Kuk, former leader of the National Innovation Party, who was released on the 15th under the Liberation Day special pardon, expressed his determination to return to politics, stating, "I will devote my efforts to ensuring the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration and President Lee Jaemyung, and to holding the People Power Party accountable," adding that he would embrace all opposition and criticism directed at him.
In his first Facebook post after his release, Cho made these remarks. He began by saying, "Dear respected citizens, first of all, I would like to express my deep gratitude to President Lee Jaemyung for making a constitutional decision." He continued, "I also extend my thanks to the religious leaders, senior figures in civil society, former National Assembly speakers, and scholars and professors at home and abroad who submitted petitions for my pardon and reinstatement." He added that he is also listening with respect to those who have voiced criticism regarding his pardon.
Cho reiterated his comments immediately after his release. He said, "I believe that today's pardon, reinstatement, and release will be remembered as a symbolic moment marking the end of prosecutorial dictatorship, which has been characterized by the abuse of prosecutorial power." He continued, "Since its founding, the National Innovation Party has declared that 'three years is too long' and has fought against the Yoon Sukyeol administration, calling for an early end to the prosecutorial dictatorship." He added, "Yoon Sukyeol and his associates committed the unconstitutional atrocity of insurrection, but they were defeated by the people, and the Lee Jaemyung administration is the result of the people's struggle and resistance, and the exercise of the people's sovereignty."
Former Representative Cho Kuk of the Innovation Party is greeting supporters as he is released on August 15 from the Southern Seoul Detention Center in Guro-gu, Seoul, under a special pardon and reinstatement measure for Liberation Day. Photo by Yonhap News
Cho further stated, "The Lee Jaemyung administration must succeed. President Lee Jaemyung must also become a successful president," adding, "I will do my best to contribute, even if only in a small way." He went on to say, "The People Power Party, an extreme right-wing party that still fails to break away from Yoon Sukyeol and continues to protect him, must be judged once again. The democratic and progressive camp must unite and strengthen its solidarity even further." He emphasized, "From this moment of regained freedom, I will devote my efforts to these two tasks."
Cho said, "During the past eight months here, I have engaged in deep reflection and broad contemplation," adding, "If I am reinstated to the party, I will approach the public with even greater humility and a lower profile. I will listen to the people and conduct my politics accordingly. I will accept all criticism, opposition, and slander directed at me as I engage in politics."
Last December, Cho was convicted on charges including admissions fraud involving his children and covering up a Blue House inspection, and was sentenced to two years in prison. He was released after serving about eight months. He was originally scheduled for release in December next year, with more than a year left on his sentence. Initially, his eligibility to run for office was revoked until December 2031, five years after the completion of his sentence, but with this reinstatement, his eligibility has been restored, removing restrictions on his political activities.
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