Jo Eung-cheon "Emergency Committee, Protect Young Lawmakers from Hardline Supporters" Candid Remarks

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] On the 14th, Cho Eung-cheon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, urged Do Jong-hwan, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman, to "not tolerate violent acts that block reform and to protect the majority of party members and conscientious young lawmakers from a small group of hardline supporters."

On the same day, Cho said on his Facebook, "Yesterday, a statement was released under the name of 'All Democratic Party of Korea Rights-holding Members.' It seems intended to intimidate first-term lawmakers who have barely spoken out with harsh and unrefined language."

Referring to the statement released under the name of the rights-holding members, he said, "This statement falsely claims to represent rights-holding members," and pointed out, "If the premise is that one cannot become a member of the National Assembly unless they are part of some hardline supporters who actively support former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, it is truly an arrogant and archaic way of thinking."

He continued, "Several lawmakers, including myself, said yesterday that a message should be issued in the name of the Emergency Response Committee Chairman or the committee itself, asking hardline party members to refrain from such behavior," but criticized, "However, at today's Emergency Response Committee meeting, they only said, 'The Democratic Party will become a more responsible and competent ruling party based on reflection and introspection,' without a single word about the statement."

He added, "The party is gradually returning to the state before the by-election defeat," and said, "The issue of former Minister Cho, which has become a taboo word in the Democratic Party, seems likely to act as an Achilles' heel that will continue to hold us back for years, just like the impeachment of conservative parties."

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