"The Future of a Political Party
Is Determined in General and Presidential Elections"
Park Ji-won, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, raised his voice toward Cho Kuk, head of the Innovation Policy Research Institute of the Jokook Innovation Party, who has resumed his political activities in earnest, saying, "Do not follow in the footsteps of Sim Sang-jung, the former leader of the Justice Party."
Jokook, head of the Innovation Policy Research Institute of the Jokook Innovation Party, is answering questions from reporters after paying respects at the grave of former President Roh Moo-hyun in Bongha Village, Jinyeong-eup, Gimhae City, Gyeongnam, on the morning of the 25th. Photo by Yonhap News
On the KBS radio program "Jeonggyeok Sisa" on the 28th, Assemblyman Park said, "Isn't the Jokook Innovation Party trying to compete with the Democratic Party in the Honam region? What happened to the Justice Party today after it won a few seats in the past?"
After the special pardon on August 15th, Cho Kuk resumed his political activities by visiting the grave of former President Kim Dae-jung and then paying a courtesy call on former President Moon Jae-in. While Democratic Party figures have called for him to reflect, Cho Kuk has embarked on a three-day, two-night visit to the Honam region, which is widely seen as preparation for next year's local elections.
Park Ji-won said, "Even if there is competition in Honam, there is always a desire in the region for parties other than the Democratic Party. The Justice Party also had considerable support before elections in the past, but after the elections, people still chose the Democratic Party. Rather than competing in Honam, the Jokook Innovation Party should think about what path it should take in the upcoming general and presidential elections."
He added, "The Jokook Innovation Party is not an ideological party but rather a kind of mass party. Their efforts to shift further to the left and become more distinct than the Democratic Party are their own survival strategy. If you love someone, you get married; if you share the same ideology and beliefs, you should live in the same house. Why try to run a separate household and compete in Honam?"
He continued, "The direction of a political party is always determined in general and presidential elections. In the past, the Justice Party won in Seo-gu, Gwangju and Suncheon in the local elections, but lost in the next round."
Regarding Cho Kuk's comment that "self-restraint is not the role of a politician," Park said, "He should make his own decisions," but added, "Still, I sincerely gave him heartfelt advice to exercise restraint. Now it is up to him, and I don't think it's appropriate for me to say more. I still believe he should not lose sight of the bigger picture for minor gains."
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