[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 actions that the two major vested-interest parties engage in every day. But from the perspective of the public and voters, there seem to be only those two meaningful choices, so people are forced to choose the lesser evil. That's been the case for a long time. During the last general election, I tried to create a third space to present an alternative, but various things didn't align, so we couldn't achieve meaningful results. I believe politics has disappeared.

Politics Has Disappeared in the 22nd National Assembly. Watching the Absurdities of the Two Major Parties Is Difficult

Since the 22nd National Assembly began, politics itself has disappeared. If you define politics as recognizing your counterpart as a partner, listening to their opinions, presenting alternatives, compromising, and negotiating, then politics is gone. How long will this reckless show of force and stubbornness continue? If things remain as they are, it will inevitably go on like this. Both parties have solid fandoms that sometimes turn into hooligans, so I don't think I could be part of that.

So if you look closely at the media, straight news reports simply cover the absurdities of both parties as they are, but most editorials and columns say this is not acceptable. There are brilliant articles, but they don't seem to get much attention. It feels like those voices just end as dying cries, which is very unfortunate. So recently, I've been talking about loosely grouping people with those thoughts under a single name, to show that such a group exists. This isn't based on real-world politics. I think it's necessary, but whenever we try, another bizarre issue erupts and overshadows everything.

So Jongseop: Is this about like-minded people gathering to study and raise their voices-is that moving forward?

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

The Past Year Was Populist Majoritarianism

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

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Cho Eungcheon: The sudden imposition of martial law, the lifting of martial law according to constitutional procedures, and the impeachment of the president-all these processes proceeded peacefully according to the law. But if you look beneath the surface, can we really say this is a restoration of democracy that we can boast about to the world? I don't think so at all. Compared to the 2017 campaign to eradicate deep-rooted evils, things have been much more brutal and violent, with political retaliation and the elimination of political opponents 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 populist measures like consumption coupons and massive fiscal deficits. Both aspects have been happening simultaneously, so I define the past year as populist majoritarianism.

So Jongseop: As we pass the 'one year since martial law,' there are assessments that the extreme politics of the ruling and opposition parties have only intensified. Why do you think that is?

Cho Eungcheon: The ruling and opposition parties are doing the opposite of what is suggested in media editorials and columns. It's been like that for a long time. Both parties believe there is no middle ground; they must gather as many loyal supporters as possible. Whether it's Jang Donghyeok or Jung Cheongrae, they seem the same. Many people around me say they don't watch political news anymore.

These people are more likely not to vote on election day, so only the most loyal supporters of each side turn out, making it a winnable fight for both. I think both sides are trying to maximize political disgust and mobilize only their hardcore supporters for a showdown. Otherwise, it doesn't make sense. This strategy is much more advantageous for the vested interests of both parties in maintaining their grip on power.

So Jongseop: Are the ruling and opposition parties showing the same behavior?

If Things Continue Like This, the People Power Party Will Suffer a Complete Defeat, Yet the Mainstream Keeps Going in the Opposite Direction

Cho Eungcheon: They serve as each other's foundation. If one side moves to the center, the other should do the same, but instead, one goes to the far left and the other to the far right. The leadership of both parties is unlikely to change this anytime soon. Especially for the Democratic Party, even with this approach, their basic strength is much greater than that of the People Power Party. Their approval rating consistently stays in the low 40% range. So there's little reason for them to change now. The People Power Party is stuck in the mid-20% range, and if things continue, they will be completely defeated. Yet the mainstream seems unwilling to let go for their own private interests. In fact, they're going in the opposite direction.

So Jongseop: The People Power Party is facing controversy over the party forum, while the Democratic Party is dealing with debate over the one-person, one-vote system.

Cho Eungcheon: The People Power Party is saying they'll look into the controversy over former leader Han Donghoon's party forum, and they're planning to discipline former Supreme Council member Kim Jonghyeok again. Previously, during the Lone Star and Daejang-dong appeal abandonment incidents, Han Donghoon showed the most outstanding ability, but in official statements from the People Power Party, his name never appeared. I thought they were treating him like an invisible man, but now it seems they're trying to purge him. I don't know if the pro-Han faction will just sit and take it or what they'll choose to do. It seems most of them are trying to avoid getting involved. The Democratic Party is a bit more relaxed than the People Power Party, but there also seems to be a disconnect between the upper and lower structures.

So Jongseop: A disconnect?

Cho Eungcheon: More than half of the elite politicians and lawmakers seem to believe that the traditional role of a ruling party supporting stable governance is correct. However, the hardcore grassroots members are saying, "What are you talking about? The reforms must be completed, the rebellion must be eradicated, and the iron must be struck while it's hot-it has to be done now." So there's a disconnect. At the top of that disconnect is Representative Jung Cheongrae, so we'll have to wait and see how things develop.

So Jongseop: Do you think Representative Jang Donghyeok will go as far as disciplining former leader Han Donghoon?

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

So Jongseop: Do you think that's appropriate?

Cho Eungcheon: The Democratic Party or Yongsan are making a lot of mistakes, but they're not taking advantage of any of them. They cover things up by investigating the party members' forum, and whenever something erupts over there, something else happens here to overshadow it. So everything fizzles out. For example, after the Yangpyeong County official was investigated and made an extreme choice, they didn't even show the suicide note, conducted an autopsy, and dragged things out suspiciously. If they were the opposition, they should have pressed hard, asking why and suggesting a cover-up, but they let it go without making it an issue.

Also, regarding the 'Daejang-dong appeal abandonment,' this is exactly the kind of issue that requires a special prosecutor. If that's the case, instead of making a fuss about investigating the party members' forum, they should focus their party's efforts there, issue an ultimatum, and if it doesn't work, present a proposal that the public can accept and set a deadline for a response. Otherwise, take extraordinary measures-like former floor leader Kim Sungtae, who went on a hunger strike and got the Druking investigation. They need that kind of resolve, but they're not doing it. There are plenty of opportunities, but they cover them up by fighting among themselves. In any case, it's incomprehensible.

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

Cho Eungcheon: Right now, the pro-Myung and pro-Cheong factions are dividing. This has been discussed since Representative Lee Jaemyung's time, moving from 60% to 20%, and now even lower. Everyone says the direction is right. I think the direction is wrong, but if you say so, you can't survive in that environment. So you get pushed out from here. The only thing you can say is, "The direction is right, but why are you rushing the process?" And you could add, "Isn't Jung Cheongrae just trying to further his own interests?"

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

So Jongseop: What is the reason you think it's wrong? The People Power Party and the Reform New Party both use the one-person, one-vote system, don't they?

Cho Eungcheon: If you want to go with one-person, one-vote, you need to properly vet new members. People should join the party, receive education both online and offline, learn about the party's platform, history, constitution, and regulations, and determine whether their political beliefs align with the party. Those people should become full or responsible members and exercise their rights as party owners. But now, you can join online with a click, pay 1,000 won a month, and vote in the next election. It's the most cost-effective act in the world-joining as a full or responsible member of either major party. The number of members increases before national elections, usually about six months in advance, because you have to be a member for about six months. Afterward, when people stop paying, they all leave. It's vote-buying. In this election, the turnout was 16.8%, with about 240,000 total party members. I believe these people are now determining the direction of the Republic of 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 moving the Democratic Party?

Cho Eungcheon: This is the era of majority tyranny, so everything goes according to what the party members or the public want. For these people, it's all about eradicating rebellion and completing reforms.

I believe that 240,000 people are dragging the Republic of Korea along. Those planning to run in next year's local elections are all hardliners, and if one person goes this far, the next will go even further.... Ordinary citizens may click their tongues, but in the end, they still vote for either number 1 or 2. But number 2 still can't give up on Yoon Sukyeol and keeps pushing 'Yoon Again,' so they can't support them, and end up voting for number 1. If they vote for number 1, only the most hardline candidates that the 240,000 (14.7%) want get elected, and the next party convention will proceed under the same system....

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

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

Cho Eungcheon: I don't think so. To do that, he should have built up to it, gradually cooled things down, and then made a big announcement on the day. If he suddenly says, "I was wrong," after saying different things, people will wonder what's going on. The groundwork hasn't been laid.

I'm very critical of the activities of the special prosecutor. But when I look at the gossip about President Yoon Sukyeol and First Lady Kim Keonhee, it makes me think that they weren't running the country for the public good, but rather that President Yoon was in office solely for his wife. The mainstream of the party has carried out absurd governance without any checks or advice, only saying what the leadership wants 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 Jung Cheongrae?

Cho Eungcheon: Making a mistake once or twice is one thing, but three or four times-it's not a mistake anymore. It's intentional.If you look at the Ddanzi Ilbo forum, which is pro-Jung Cheongrae, and the Jaemyung's Village forum, which is pro-Lee Jaemyung, they're fiercely criticizing each other. The grassroots are already completely divided. The silent majority of lawmakers are still conscious of Yongsan and prioritize its success, but the 240,000 hardline party members (14.7%) will directly impact them in future primaries. These people want something tougher than stable governance, so things are ambiguous.

As for me, I don't really know what the government's top policy direction is right now. What is the government trying to do? From my perspective, the top priority is protecting Lee Jaemyung, and the second is eliminating the opposition. Eradicating the rebellion gives legitimacy to their rule, and normalization of state affairs was achieved when President Lee Jaemyung took office. The rebellion ended that evening, but they keep rehashing it to justify their reforms. I don't know how long that will continue. It's much stronger and more vicious than the campaign to eradicate deep-rooted evils.

So Jongseop: Representative Jung Cheongrae has also said he would push for a second special prosecutor.

A Second Special Prosecutor? It's the 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. Everything they want is just realized. If that's the case, abolish the National Investigation Headquarters and create a permanent special prosecutor's office to handle all investigations. This is overreach. Doesn't this mean they don't even trust the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials that they created themselves?

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

Cho Eungcheon: Thank you.