Cho Kuk Urges National Assembly to Pass Resolution Rejecting U.S. Tariff Demands

Tariff Crisis Demands Greater Urgency Than Prosecutorial Reform
Cooperation for National Interest Needed, Not Far-Right Agitation

Cho Kuk, the emergency committee chair of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, has called for a bipartisan resolution in the National Assembly regarding trade issues with the United States, emphasizing that "the National Assembly must take the initiative."

On October 7, through his Facebook page, Chair Cho stated, "Let us pass a National Assembly resolution rejecting the United States' unilateral demands immediately after the Chuseok holiday," and proposed, "Let the leaders of both ruling and opposition parties jointly hold a press conference for foreign media to make it clear that we cannot comply with the United States' unfair demands."

He specifically described the ongoing tariff negotiations between South Korea and the United States as a "tariff pandemic," stressing that "this is an emergency requiring a nationwide response system, just as we did during the COVID-19 crisis." He continued, "President Lee Jaemyung and the government are struggling to negotiate against the unilateral demands of the Trump administration in the United States. However, the National Assembly is not providing sufficient support to the president and the government."

Cho Kuk, head of the Innovation Policy Research Institute of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 1st.

Chair Cho pointed out that the impact is already being felt across the domestic industrial sector, highlighting the crisis in Pohang, a region concentrated in the steel industry. He stated, "Major industrial cities in our country are now facing not just decline but even concerns about extinction due to the tariff bomb from the United States. In particular, in Pohang, steel factories began shutting down under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, and now, with the tariff bomb becoming a reality, the local economy has fallen into panic."

He also criticized the lack of response from the legislature, saying, "Although both ruling and opposition parties pledged bipartisan support to pass the 'K-Steel Act,' it has not materialized." He added, "While Lee Kangdeok, the mayor of Pohang and a member of the People Power Party, held a protest in front of the White House against the tariffs, which was impressive, the National Assembly is capable of doing far more than the mayor of Pohang. The authority and responsibility of the National Assembly are incomparably greater. The National Assembly must take action."

He also expressed the view that the National Assembly should take the lead in diplomacy. He argued, "The Lee Jaemyung administration, which is currently negotiating, must say things that the government cannot directly express," and requested that the National Assembly deliver a strong message that the government cannot diplomatically articulate. Citing the results of a recent public opinion poll, he said, "According to a recent survey, 8 out of 10 people believe the United States' demand for a $350 billion upfront payment is unfair. The National Assembly must respond to the will of the people."

He asserted, "Overcoming the 'tariff pandemic' is more important than prosecutorial or judicial reform," and emphasized, "The leaders of the ruling and opposition parties must gather immediately to start a bipartisan response."

He also directed strong criticism at the People Power Party. Chair Cho warned, "I caution the People Power Party. Now is the time to choose the national interest of the Republic of Korea, not the partisan interests of the far right." He added, "The People Power Party is engaging in all kinds of smear campaigns and far-right agitation to undermine President Lee, who is negotiating for the national interest. I urge them to join in protecting the national interest."

The influence of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party has recently declined sharply. Polls show that even after Chair Cho's direct return, the party's approval rating has continued to fall. In last month's Korea Gallup poll, the party's approval rating was only 3 percent, and in a recent SBS-Ipsos poll, it recorded just 5 percent in the Honam region, lower than the People Power Party. Notably, it registered only 3 percent in Seoul and 0 percent in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, indicating a near-total loss of influence in key regions.

Many analysts point to the party's failure to promptly address an internal sexual misconduct case as a decisive blow. Although former spokesperson Kang Mijeong repeatedly called for a resolution, Chair Cho was criticized both inside and outside the party for failing to respond in a timely manner. In addition, since President Lee Jaemyung's release from prison, the Democratic Party has taken the lead on reform issues, causing the Cho Kuk Innovation Party's message to fade, according to observers.