Joa Jaehee, Songpa-gap Candidate, "I Will Unfold a New Politics of Dialogue and Compromise"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] This 21st general election saw deeper national division than ever before. It was even more severe than the divisive rallies witnessed last year in Seocho-dong and Gwanghwamun. Now, regardless of party lines or election outcomes, the task at hand is to unify the divided national consensus.

In response, Jo Jae-hee, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Songpa Gap, earnestly appealed for "harmony," calling for a "new politics of dialogue and compromise."

Candidate Jo said, “King Sejong warmly embraced Hwang Hui, who opposed his appointment of the crown prince,” adding, “In return, Hwang Hui became Joseon’s foremost virtuous prime minister known for his integrity, leading to a prosperous era. For this reason, posterity honors Sejong as King Sejong the Great and Hwang Hui as Prime Minister Hwang Hui.”

He also stated, “Lincoln appointed his political rival and someone who had treated him harshly, Edwin M. Stanton, as Secretary of War, leading the Union to victory in the Civil War,” explaining, “It was a victory born of leadership rooted in forgiveness and tolerance. Stanton is regarded as the greatest wartime Secretary of War in U.S. history, and Lincoln is respected as the greatest president in U.S. history.”

Continuing, he said, “President Kim Dae-jung boldly forgave the military dictatorship forces led by Chun Doo-hwan, who had tried to kill him,” emphasizing, “During the IMF crisis, what the people needed most was economic recovery and national unity. The president stressed harmony for genuine communication with political opponents, which has been a guiding principle throughout my life.”

He reflected, “The division of national consensus not only between ruling and opposition parties but also between progressive and conservative forces is like a virus obstructing national development,” adding, “During the administrations of the People’s Government, the Participatory Government, and the Moon Jae-in Government, I proudly developed policies that prioritized the people over leaders. Unconsciously, I was cooperating with the people.”

Candidate Jo said, “If the 20th National Assembly only showed fierce factional fights, the 21st must demonstrate politics of dialogue and compromise,” stressing, “In this election, the Democratic Party framed it as a ‘judgment of the opposition,’ while the United Future Party framed it as a ‘judgment of the regime.’ However, once the election is over, we must all unite tightly to overcome COVID-19.”

He added, “Harmony is the foremost virtue of politicians. The Park Geun-hye administration fell because of 51% politics, that is, politics only for those who supported it,” emphasizing, “Those who did not support me are also our people. The 21st National Assembly must be work-centered, not person-centered. Let us achieve harmony through a ‘new politics of dialogue and compromise.’”

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