Was Cho Kuk's Pardon Meant to Keep Jung Chungrae in Check?... Jung Chungrae Responds, "Would It Not Have Happened If Park Chandae Were Leader? It's Laughable"

Political Circles Speculate on Motives Behind Cho Kuk's Pardon
Jung Chungrae Dismisses Claims of Rift with President Lee
"No Reason to Clash with the President... Party and Government Are United"

Regarding claims from some quarters that President Lee Jaemyung's decision to pardon and reinstate Cho Kuk, former leader of the National Innovation Party, was intended to keep Jung Chungrae, Democratic Party Representative, in check, Jung expressed his displeasure. On the 17th, through his social media account, Jung stated, "(The theory that I am being kept in check) is laughable. It is not only baseless but also untrue," refuting the allegation.

Jung Chungrae, Democratic Party Representative. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Jung continued, "This can be refuted with common sense. Are people suggesting that if Park Chandae had become party leader, Cho Kuk would not have been pardoned and reinstated?" He added, "At the party convention on August 2, either Jung Chungrae or Park Chandae was bound to be elected as party leader. If Cho Kuk's pardon was scheduled for August 15, are people claiming that depending on who was elected, the pardon could have happened or not happened?"

He further stated, "While we have heard of the Ming-Qing transition in history, a 'Ming-Qing era' within the Democratic Party is simply absurd." He continued, "The origin of this logic is the fake news that claims Kim Eo-jun supported Jung Chungrae, and President Lee supported Park Chandae. The preposterous assertion that 'Eosim' (Kim Eo-jun's will) triumphed over 'Myeongsim' (President Lee's will), and therefore Jung Chungrae will clash with President Lee, is nothing but malicious divisiveness. Do not be deceived by such fake news."

He added, "I have no reason to be at odds with President Lee. The party, government, and presidential office will work as one to ensure the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration." He also said, "If your intention was to sow discord, abandon that thought." Jung went on to say, "I sometimes wonder if the profession most afflicted by confirmation bias is journalism," and added, "The media should also be just, attuned to the times, in touch with public sentiment, and as diligent as workers in any other field."

Former leader of the National Innovation Party, Cho Kuk, was released on the 15th under the special pardon and reinstatement measures for Liberation Day, leaving the Southern Seoul Detention Center in Guro-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Previously, Jung had expressed his support for Cho's pardon. On the 15th, addressing Cho Kuk, who was released under the special Liberation Day pardon, Jung said, "I sincerely welcome and congratulate Representative Cho Kuk on his release." On social media, he added, "Please take care of your health and smoothly readjust to your daily life. Let's meet soon and have many conversations."

Meanwhile, with Cho's pardon and reinstatement, it is expected that his political activities will enter a new phase. On the morning of the 16th, the day after his release, Cho posted on social media the phrase "Pye-mun-dok-seo-mul" (meaning 'reading books behind closed doors'), along with photos of several books, including three related to former President Kim Dae-jung, such as "Kim Dae-jung's Exile Diary." On the 18th, Cho will officially resume his public activities by visiting the grave of former President Kim Dae-jung.