[Current Affairs Show] Cho Eungcheon: "I Don't Understand People Power Party, Democratic Party Is Splitting"

"Lee Jaemyung Administration Is Even More Forceful Than During the Deep-Rooted Evils Purge"
"People Power Party Is Fighting Among Themselves?It's Incomprehensible"
"Democratic Party Is Splitting Into Pro-Myung and Pro-Cheong Factions"

■ Broadcast: The Asia Business Daily 'So Jongseop's Current Affairs Show' (Monday to Friday, 4-5 p.m.)

■ Host: Political Specialist So Jongseop ■ Producer: Lee Miri

■ Guest: Former National Assemblyman Cho Eungcheon (December 1)

So Jongseop: Today, we are joined by former National Assemblyman Cho Eungcheon for an honest discussion on various issues. Assemblyman Cho, thank you for making time despite your busy schedule. How have you been lately?

Cho Eungcheon: It's very exhausting just to watch the bizarre behavior that the two major vested-interest parties display every day. But from the perspective of the people, of voters, there seem to be only those two meaningful options, so we are forced to choose the lesser evil. That's been the case for a long time. That's why, in the last general election, I tried to create a third zone to offer an alternative, but for various reasons, things didn't work out and we couldn't achieve meaningful results. I believe politics has disappeared.

Politics Has Disappeared in the 22nd National Assembly. It's Difficult to Watch the Two Major Parties' Bizarre Behavior

Since the launch of the 22nd National Assembly, politics has virtually disappeared. When you define politics as recognizing your opponent as a partner, listening, proposing alternatives, compromising, and negotiating, then politics is gone. How long will this reckless show of force and stubbornness continue? If things go on like this, it can't be helped. Both parties have solid fandoms, which sometimes become hooligan-like, so I don't think I have any place in that.

So if you look closely at the media, straight news reports simply relay the bizarre actions of both parties, but most editorials and columns say this can't go on. However, even though there are some truly brilliant writings, they don't seem to get much attention. It feels like they just end as desperate cries, which is very unfortunate. That's why, recently, I've started talking about loosely grouping together people who share these thoughts, to show that such a group exists. This isn't based on practical politics. I just think it's necessary, but whenever we try, some outrageous issue erupts and covers everything up.

So Jongseop: Are you saying that people who share your views are gathering to study and speak out? Is that actually happening?

Cho Eungcheon: We meet individually, and everyone agrees with the ideas. But it seems like it's always, "If you do it, I'll follow," that sort of thing.

The Past Year Was Populist Majoritarianism

So Jongseop: December 3 marks the first anniversary of the martial law. How do you evaluate the past year?

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Cho Eungcheon: The sudden imposition of martial law, the lifting of martial law according to constitutional procedures, the impeachment of the president-all these processes proceeded peacefully according to the law. But if you look inside, can we really say this is a restoration of democracy to be proud of on the world stage? I don't think so at all. Compared to the 2017 drive to eradicate deep-rooted evils, things have been much more brutal and violent, with political retaliation or the elimination of rivals being carried out in the name of majority rule. This is what Tocqueville called the tyranny of the majority. At the same time, there have been things like consumption coupons and large-scale fiscal deficits-populist measures. Both trends have been happening simultaneously, so I define the past year as populist majoritarianism.

So Jongseop: As we pass the first anniversary of martial law, there are assessments that extreme politics between the ruling and opposition parties has only intensified. Why do you think that is?

Cho Eungcheon: The ruling and opposition parties are doing the exact opposite of what the editorials and columns in the media suggest. It's been that way for a long time. Both parties agree that there is no center; they just try to rally their core supporters as much as possible. Whether it's Jang Donghyeok or Jeong Cheongrae, they're all the same. Many people around me say they don't even watch political news anymore.

These people are more likely not to go to the polls on election day, which means only the most loyal supporters will show up, making it winnable for either side. I think both parties are thinking along those lines. By maximizing political disgust and mobilizing only their hardcore supporters, they want to go head-to-head. Otherwise, it's hard to understand, but it's much more advantageous for the vested interests in both parties to maintain their grip on power.

So Jongseop: Are you saying the ruling and opposition parties are behaving in the same way?

If Things Continue Like This, the People Power Party Is Doomed, but the Mainstream Keeps Moving Backwards

Cho Eungcheon: They serve as each other's foundation. If one side moves toward the center, the other should too, but instead, both go to the extremes-the left and the right. The leadership of both parties is unlikely to change this anytime soon. Especially for the Democratic Party, even if they continue like this, their basic strength is much greater than that of the People Power Party. Their approval rating stays in the low 40% range. So there's little reason for them to change. The People Power Party is stuck in the mid-20% range, and if this continues, they are bound to lose. Yet, the mainstream doesn't let go for their own private interests. In fact, they're moving backwards.

So Jongseop: There's growing controversy over the party forum in the People Power Party, and in the Democratic Party, it's about the one-person-one-vote system.

Cho Eungcheon: In the People Power Party, they're saying they'll look into the controversy over former leader Han Donghun and reconsider the disciplinary action against former Supreme Council member Kim Jonghyeok. Previously, during the Lone Star and Daejang-dong appeals, Han Donghun showed the most outstanding performance, but in the official statements of the People Power Party, Han Donghun's name was never mentioned. I wondered if they were treating him like an invisible man, but now it seems they're trying to get rid of him. I don't know if the pro-Han faction will just sit back and take it or make a move. It seems most of them are trying not to get involved. The Democratic Party is a bit more relaxed than the People Power Party, but there also seems to be a gap between the upper and lower structures.

So Jongseop: A gap?

Cho Eungcheon: The elite politicians and more than half of the lawmakers seem to think their role is to support stable governance as a traditional ruling party. But the hardcore grassroots members say, "What are you talking about? We need to finish the reforms, root out rebellion, strike while the iron is hot, and act now." So there's a gap. The person at the center of this gap is Representative Jeong Cheongrae, so we'll have to wait and see how things develop.

So Jongseop: Do you think Representative Jang Donghyeok will go so far as to discipline former leader Han Donghun?

Cho Eungcheon: It seems they're doing it under the pretext that it's what the party members want.

So Jongseop: Do you think that's appropriate?

Cho Eungcheon: The Democratic Party and Yongsan are making a lot of mistakes, but they're not taking advantage of any of them. They just bury things by investigating the party forum, and whenever something blows up over there, another incident happens here to cover it up. So everything just fizzles out. For example, when a Yangpyeong County official was investigated and later took his own life, they didn't even show the suicide note, did an autopsy, and dragged things out suspiciously. If they were the opposition, they should have demanded answers and pressed the issue, but it never became a real issue and just ended.

Also, regarding the "Daejang-dong appeal withdrawal," this is exactly the sort of thing that needs a special prosecutor. If so, instead of stirring up trouble over the party forum investigation, they should focus their energy there, issue an ultimatum, and if nothing happens, present a proposal that the public can accept, set a deadline for a response, and declare they'll take extraordinary action if necessary-like former floor leader Kim Sungtae's hunger strike that led to the Druking investigation. That's the kind of determination that's needed, but they're not doing any of that. There are so many opportunities, but they're wasting them fighting among themselves. In any case, it's just incomprehensible.

So Jongseop: In the Democratic Party, there are protests at party headquarters against the one-person-one-vote system. What do you think about the current situation in the Democratic Party?

Cho Eungcheon: Right now, there is a split between the pro-Myung and pro-Cheong factions. This has been discussed since Representative Lee Jaemyung's time, moving from 60% to 20%, and now aiming to go even lower. Everyone says the direction is right. I think the direction is wrong, but if you say that, you can't survive in that environment. So you get pushed out from there. The only thing you can say is, "The direction is right, but why are you rushing the process?" And you could add that Jeong Cheongrae is just doing this for his own gain.

In the Current Situation, the One-Person-One-Vote System Is Essentially Vote-Buying

So Jongseop: What is your reasoning for saying it's not right? Aren't the People Power Party and the Reform New Party also using the one-person-one-vote system?

Cho Eungcheon: To have a one-person-one-vote system, you need to properly screen new members. People should join the party, receive online and offline education, learn about the party's platform, policies, history, and regulations, and only then, if their political beliefs align with the party, should they become full or responsible members and exercise their rights as party members. But now, you can just click online to join, pay 1,000 won a month, and vote this time. It's the most cost-effective act in the world to become a full or responsible member of either of the two major parties. Before nationwide elections, the number of such members increases. Usually, you have to be a member for about six months, so this starts about six months before the election. Afterwards, they stop paying dues and drop out. It's vote-buying. This time, the turnout was 16.8%, with about 240,000 total party members. I believe these people are the ones determining the direction of South Korea.

On the 1st, a Democratic Party member attending the "Discussion on Institutional Improvements for Realizing Party Member Sovereignty" held at the Democratic Party Central Party Office member zone in Yeouido, Seoul, is holding a placard condemning Representative Chung Cheong-rae. Photo by Yonhap News

So Jongseop: Are these people driving the Democratic Party?

Cho Eungcheon: In this era of majority tyranny, everything is done in the name of "the party members want it" or "the people want it." For them, it's all about rooting out rebellion and completing reforms.

I believe that South Korea is being led by 240,000 people. Those planning to run in next year's local elections are all hardcore; if someone is this extreme, the next person goes even further. The general public may click their tongues, but in the end, they still vote for either number one or number two. But number two still can't let go of Yoon Sukyeol and is doing "Yoon Again," so they can't support them, and end up voting for number one. Then, only the most hardline candidates that the 240,000 members who make up 14.7% want will be selected, and the next party convention will also follow that system...

Representative Jang Donghyeok Will Find It Difficult to Break with the Yoon Again Faction

So Jongseop: There has been a lot of internal discussion about whether Representative Jang Donghyeok should issue a message for the first anniversary of martial law. Do you think it's possible for Representative Jang Donghyeok to break with former President Yoon's "Yoon Again" faction?

Cho Eungcheon: I don't think it's possible. To do that, he should have built up to it, gradually cooled things down, and then made a big move on that day. That would have been natural and effective. But if he suddenly changes his tune and says he was wrong, people will just wonder what's going on. The groundwork hasn't been laid.

I'm very critical of the special prosecutor's activities. However, when you see the gossip coming out about President Yoon Sukyeol and First Lady Kim Keonhee, it seems that they weren't running the government for the public good, but rather for a single person, his wife. The mainstream of the party has been carrying out absurd government operations without any checks or advice, just telling the leadership what they want to hear and basking in the warmth of power. Don't they bear any responsibility? I think things will continue this way until the end of the year.

On November 26, President Lee Jae-myung, who attended the G20 summit and completed visits to four countries in Africa and the Middle East, arrived at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. He is greeting Jeong Cheong-rae, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who came to welcome him. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo

So Jongseop: What do you think about the relationship between President Lee Jaemyung and Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheongrae?

Cho Eungcheon: Making a mistake once or twice is understandable, but three or four times is no longer a mistake-it's intentional. If you look at the Ddanzi Ilbo forum for the pro-Jeong Cheongrae side and the Jaemyingne Village forum for the pro-Lee Jaemyung side, they are fiercely criticizing each other. The grassroots are already completely split. The silent majority of lawmakers are still conscious of Yongsan and prioritize its success, but the 240,000 hardcore members who make up 14.7% will directly affect them in the next primary. These people want something much stronger than stable governance, so things are ambiguous.

Honestly, I don't know what the main policy direction of this government is. What is the government trying to do? To me, the top priority seems to be protecting Lee Jaemyung, and the second is eliminating the opposition. Rooting out rebellion is used to justify their rule, and normalization of state affairs supposedly happened when President Lee Jaemyung took office. The rebellion ended that evening, but they keep bringing it up to justify their reforms. I don't know how long this will continue. It's much more intense and vicious than the previous drive to eradicate deep-rooted evils.

So Jongseop: Leader Jeong Cheongrae has also talked about launching a second special prosecutor investigation.

A Second Special Prosecutor? This Is Tyranny of the Majority

Cho Eungcheon: Why do we have special prosecutors? They're supposed to be exceptional and supplementary. This is tyranny of the majority. They get everything they want. If that's the case, just abolish the National Investigation Headquarters and create a permanent special prosecutor's office to handle all investigations. This is over the top. It means they don't even trust the Corruption Investigation Office they created themselves.

So Jongseop: We'll end it here. Thank you for your insights today.

Cho Eungcheon: Thank you.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.