Cho Kuk Visits Busan Before Lotte's Game on the 24th
Known as a Devoted Fan of the Lotte Giants
As the Lotte Giants, a team in Korea's professional baseball league, broke their 12-game losing streak against the NC Dinos on the 24th, the social media activity of Cho Kuk, head of the Innovation Policy Research Institute of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, has attracted attention. Director Cho, who is from Busan, is known as an avid fan of the Lotte Giants, to the extent that even while incarcerated, he said, "When I get out of prison, I want to take a hot bath and watch a Lotte baseball game." On the 25th, Cho shared an article about himself and the Lotte Giants' losing streak on his social media, accompanied by the brief caption, "Hahaha."
Director Cho, who is from Busan, is known as an avid fan of the Lotte Giants, to the extent that even while incarcerated, he said, "When I get out of prison, I want to take a hot bath and watch a Lotte baseball game." Cho Guk Facebook
Previously, after losing to the KIA Tigers on the 7th, Lotte suffered a 12-game losing streak (with 2 draws) until the 23rd. Lotte, which had been competing for the top spot with the LG Twins and Hanwha Eagles-currently ranked first and second-fell to fifth place. On this day, before Lotte's game, Director Cho met with reporters in Busan and lamented, "I was happy to be back in my hometown, but unfortunately, Lotte has lost 12 games in a row. How long must Lotte fans endure this pain?" After this comment, Lotte managed to escape their losing streak. What drew particular attention was the perceived connection between Director Cho and Lotte's string of losses.
Coincidentally, the 12-game losing streak began on the 7th, the same day it became public that Director Cho was included in the government's Liberation Day special pardon review. Furthermore, as the number of seats held by the Cho Kuk Innovation Party (12 seats) matched the number of Lotte's consecutive losses (12 games), online users joked, "This coincidence is uncanny. Is Lotte's losing streak because of Cho Kuk?" and "We must cross the river of Cho Kuk." The fact that the losing streak ended right after Director Cho expressed his concerns led to even more comments about the uncanny timing.
Director Cho, who is from Busan, is known as an avid fan of the Lotte Giants, to the extent that even while incarcerated, he said, "When I get out of prison, I want to take a hot bath and watch a Lotte baseball game." Cho Guk Facebook
It may be just a coincidence, but after this statement, Lotte broke out of their 12-game losing streak. The Giants achieved a decisive 17-5 victory over the NC Dinos at Changwon NC Park, ending their long slump. With this win, Lotte recorded 59 wins, 57 losses, and 5 draws, tying for fourth place with KT Wiz.
Meanwhile, since being pardoned, Director Cho has not only been active on social media for ten days, but has also appeared on various media outlets and YouTube programs, effectively making official his intention to run in either next June’s local elections or a parliamentary by-election. Last weekend, he visited his hometown of Busan, met former President Moon Jae-in in Pyeongsan Village, Yangsan, and on the 25th, paid respects at the grave of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun in Bongha Village, Gimhae. Starting on the 26th, he plans to tour the Honam region for three days.
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