More Likely to Run in Parliamentary By-Election Than Local Election
"If No Unified Candidacy, Presidential Bid Will Be an Uphill Battle"
Immediately after former Party for National Innovation leader Cho Kuk was released under a special Liberation Day pardon, former People Power Party Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jongin analyzed, "Cho's ultimate goal is to run in the 22nd presidential election," adding, "Those around him will also begin preparations with that in mind."
Former People Power Party Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jongin analyzed that "Cho Kuk's ultimate goal is to run for the 22nd presidential election."
On August 15, appearing on CBS Radio's "Park Jaehong's One Shot Show," Kim commented on the possibility of Cho's return to politics, stating, "Given Cho Kuk's personality, he is likely to take political action very soon."
He predicted that, in the current situation where there is no clear successor to President Lee Jaemyung within the Democratic Party, "Cho Kuk is likely to emerge most prominently as a presidential contender."
However, Kim emphasized that for Cho to achieve his goal, it is essential to establish relationships with internal Democratic Party factions, especially the pro-Moon group. He pointed out, "Considering that the party has been reorganized around the pro-Lee faction in a situation where the pro-Moon faction is not strong, a merger will not be easy."
Kim further remarked, "It seems that serving as a local government head distances one from the presidency," and predicted that Cho is more likely to run in a parliamentary by-election rather than the 2026 local elections.
Former leader of the Party for National Innovation, Cho Kuk, is greeting supporters as he is released on August 15 from the Southern Seoul Detention Center in Guro-gu, Seoul, under the special pardon and reinstatement measures for Liberation Day. Photo by Yonhap News
"Limits as Innovation Party... Merger with Democratic Party Is Key"
He continued, "Whether Cho Kuk can target the presidential election from outside the Democratic Party framework with the Party for National Innovation, or whether he will achieve his goal by merging with the Democratic Party, remains to be seen," highlighting the uncertainty of Cho's direction.
He also pointed out, "If Cho fails to unify the opposition candidacy, it will be difficult for him to succeed in the presidential election."
Kim further analyzed, "There is plenty of time, and the world is changing rapidly, so Cho Kuk could be perceived as a figure of the past. It is also possible that a young politician from within the Democratic Party could suddenly emerge as a presidential contender, making it impossible to predict the landscape of the 22nd presidential election."
Cho Kuk was released on August 15 after 242 days in detention. He had been sentenced to two years in prison on charges including admissions fraud involving his children and obstruction of a Blue House inspection, and was incarcerated in December of last year. Although he was originally scheduled for release in December of next year, the pardon has exempted him from serving the remainder of his sentence and restored his eligibility for political activity. His right to run for office, which had been restricted for five years after the completion of his sentence, has also been reinstated.
Immediately after his release, Cho stated, "Today's pardon, reinstatement, and release will be recorded as a symbolic moment marking the end of prosecutorial dictatorship that has abused prosecutorial power," evaluating the significance of this measure. He is expected to soon begin a tour of locations such as Bongha Village and Pyeongsan Village.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
