"Far-right Parties Must Be Defeated in Local and General Elections"
"Question of Merger with Democratic Party Is Premature"
Jo Guk, former leader of the Jo Guk Innovation Party, who was granted a pardon and reinstatement through the 8·15 Liberation Day special amnesty, has announced his intention to run in next year's local elections or parliamentary by-elections.
Former Representative of the Jo Guk Innovation Party, Jo Guk, is greeting Kim Sunmin, Acting Party Leader, as he is released from the Southern Correctional Institution in Guro-gu, Seoul, on the 15th under the special pardon and reinstatement measures for Liberation Day. Photo by Yonhap News
On August 18, appearing on the YouTube show "Kim Eo-jun's News Factory: Humility Is Difficult," Jo stated, "I want to make it clear that, in any case, I intend to seek the people's mandate in June next year."
When asked whether he plans to run in the local elections or the parliamentary by-elections next year, Jo replied, "Even I have not yet decided where I will run," adding, "The legal issues have now been resolved, and I want to express my views to the people, including on the criticisms they have leveled at me, and seek their political choice."
When asked if he had any intention of returning to academia, he firmly responded, "No. I must pursue politics," and added, "I believe my destiny changed after 2019."
Regarding the possibility of the Jo Guk Innovation Party, which is part of the broader pro-government bloc, merging with the Democratic Party, he drew a line, saying, "That's a question that comes too soon." However, he elaborated, "I understand there are both proponents and opponents of a merger within the Democratic Party. In the upcoming local and general elections, we must avoid making choices that would allow the People Power Party to win. From now on, we need to discuss how the relationship between the Jo Guk Innovation Party and the Democratic Party should be managed in that process."
On the issue of dissolving the People Power Party as an unconstitutional party, he said, "To dissolve a party, it must be confirmed that the People Power Party leadership was systematically involved in the 12·3 insurrection. At the very least, we should wait for the first trial verdict." He also emphasized, "Separately, in the upcoming local and general elections, the people must put an end to the People Power Party through their votes." Earlier this year, in January, the leadership of the Jo Guk Innovation Party submitted a petition to the Ministry of Justice requesting a constitutional review for the dissolution of the People Power Party.
Jo stressed, "I believe that, even after the insurrection, a party that continues to take far-right or pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Suk-yeol) stances has no place in our country," and added, "I am certain that the People Power Party must be judged once again, and I want to play a role in that process."
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