People Power Party's Woo Jaejun Criticizes Cho Kuk's "Will an Apology Win Over the 2030 Generation?" Remark: "This Is Why He Should Not Have Been Pardoned"

"Cho Kuk's Remarks Are a Tragedy for Young People," Strong Criticism
Claims That Pardons for Lee Hwayoung and Kim Yong Are Highly Likely

Woo Jaejun, a youth supreme council member candidate of the People Power Party, strongly criticized former leader of the Jo Guk Innovation Party, Cho Kuk, who said, "Will the hearts of the 20s and 30s generations be eased just because I apologize?" On the 20th, appearing on Channel A's radio show 'Political Signal,' Woo Jaejun pointed out Cho Kuk's previous remarks and said, "I believe that at the very least, he should have shown genuine remorse before being granted a pardon."

People Power Party's Woo Jaejun Criticizes Cho Kuk's "Will an Apology Win Over the 2030 Generation?" Remark: "This Is Why He Should Not Have Been Pardoned"

Previously, Cho Kuk, who was released on August 15 through a special Liberation Day pardon, visited the Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, on August 18 for his first public appearance after the pardon. When asked by reporters about calls for an apology regarding his child's college admissions scandal, he responded, "Would the 2030 generation open their hearts just because I apologize a few times?" He added, "If there are people who dislike me, I should analyze why they do and focus on what needs to be done." He continued, "By accepting criticism, I will clarify what tasks I must undertake, and I believe that, as I work to resolve these issues, the 20s and 30s generations will come to understand my intentions."

In response to these remarks, Woo Jaejun said, "Because he was released under ambiguous circumstances, he is making such statements again." He expressed regret, saying, "While Cho Kuk's remarks may be politically advantageous for the People Power Party, I believe they will deeply wound many young people in their 20s and 30s." He emphasized, "Cho Kuk was not simply imprisoned for criminal charges; he was someone who shocked and frightened a great number of young people. As a politician accused of college admissions fraud, he enraged many people, and the fact that he still claims he did nothing wrong is truly a tragedy for the youth."

Former Representative Jo Guk of the Jo Guk Innovation Party. Jo Guk Facebook

Furthermore, Woo Jaejun argued that there is a possibility that Lee Hwayoung, former Vice Governor of Gyeonggi Province, who was sentenced to 7 years and 8 months in prison for the North Korea remittance case, and Kim Yong, former Deputy Director of the Institute for Democracy, who is implicated in the Daejang-dong development favoritism scandal, could also be pardoned. He said, "I am concerned that the Lee Jaemyung administration is becoming increasingly arrogant at a rapid pace." He added, "The right to grant pardons is supposed to be used for national unity, not as a tool for political bargaining or, even worse, for one's personal gain."