Gwangju Civic Group Urges Democratic Party to Compete in Innovation, Not Keep Cho Kuk in Check

Participation Autonomy 21: "Innovation Party, an Alternative to Democratic Party Monopoly"
"Next Year's Election Competition... Broadening Choices for Local Residents"
Suh Wangjin: "Honam Politics Needs Diversity"

As the Democratic Party of Korea appeared to be keeping a check on Cho Kuk, head of the Innovation Policy Research Institute of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, during his visit to the Honam region, a civic group in Gwangju urged, "Compete in innovation, not in keeping each other in check."

Joo Guk, head of the Innovation Policy Research Institute of the Joo Guk Innovation Party, is moving with party officials on the 26th to pay respects at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Song Bohyun

On the 26th, as Cho Kuk visited Gwangju, Participation Autonomy 21 issued a statement criticizing, "The Democratic Party and some media outlets are excessively keeping Cho Kuk, the former party leader, in check, claiming that he is making moves for next year's local elections without any period of self-reflection." The group added, "They are already diagnosing this visit as a sign of division within the progressive camp."

The organization stated, "In Honam, the Democratic Party and the Cho Kuk Innovation Party are not the same party, nor should they be." It continued, "The Cho Kuk Innovation Party is an alternative political force to break the Democratic Party's monopoly structure, which distorts and stagnates Honam politics."

It further emphasized, "In a system where being nominated is almost equivalent to being elected, the competition between the Cho Kuk Innovation Party and the Democratic Party in next year's local elections is not a case of missing the forest for the trees, but rather an experiment to broaden the choices and bring change for local residents. Only in this way can we reduce the side effects of the Democratic Party's single-party dominance and lay the foundation for a multi-party system through checks and competition among progressive parties."

The group also added, "Instead of criticizing or keeping the Cho Kuk Innovation Party in check, the Democratic Party should take a self-reflective approach and reform its nomination rules and systems so that capable and fresh talent can enter politics."

Suh Wangjin, floor leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, also commented on Facebook, "Honam views the actions of Cho Kuk and the Innovation Party not as division, but as political diversity." He added, "Honam politics, too, should offer the fun of choosing, like Baskin Robbins 31." He stated, "Next year's local elections are an experiment to broaden the choices and bring change for local residents," and concluded, "With the desire for change, Honam will open the way."