"After Being Elected Emergency Response Committee Chairperson, Cho Kuk Vows to Fulfill the Will to Rebirth the Party"

"A Heavier Heart Than at the Party's Founding"

On September 11, the Cho Kuk Innovation Party elected Cho Kuk, head of the Innovation Policy Research Institute, as the party's Emergency Response Committee Chairperson.

Jokook, Director of the Innovation Policy Research Institute of the Jokook Innovation Party. Yonhap News

Suh Wangjin, floor leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, met with reporters at the National Assembly in the afternoon after holding a closed party executive committee meeting. He explained, "We recommended Director Cho as the sole candidate and conducted a vote, and he was elected with an overwhelming majority in favor."

Immediately after being elected as Emergency Response Committee Chairperson, Cho Kuk issued a statement to the party's public relations office, saying, "Through the Emergency Response Committee, I will fulfill the wishes of party members and the public to be reborn as a new Innovation Party. I will definitely walk that path."

Cho Kuk added, "I accept the party executive committee's decision with an even heavier heart than at the time of the party's founding," and admitted, "The party's crisis is entirely due to my shortcomings. I have fallen short in many ways."

Regarding the sexual misconduct case within the party, he stated, "Once again, I sincerely apologize to the victims on behalf of the party," and pledged, "I will ensure that everything is handled truthfully and transparently, in line with the expectations of the victims and the public." He continued, "We will expedite institutional improvements, including support for victims, to promote recovery and prevent recurrence."

Addressing Kang Mijeong, the former spokesperson who left the party after raising issues as a victim, Cho Kuk said, "Kang Mijeong's departure is deeply painful. I sincerely hope she can quickly escape her suffering and return to her daily life."

He also emphasized, "I will do everything possible to make this party a community that people want to return to."

Cho Kuk concluded, "I plan to form the Emergency Response Committee as soon as possible," adding, "I will elaborate on the committee's direction and action plans at the first emergency meeting."