Jo Hae-jin Officially Announces Candidacy for Party Leader... "Inclusive and Unifying Leadership Needed"

Held a Press Conference at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 23rd... First Official Declaration Among Party Leadership Challengers

Rep. Cho Hae-jin of the People Power Party declared his candidacy for party leader on the 23rd at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Bo-ryeong] Cho Hae-jin, a member of the People Power Party, became the first among the party leadership candidates to officially announce his candidacy for the party convention.

On the morning of the 23rd, Cho held a press conference at the National Assembly to announce his candidacy for party leader, stating, "To achieve the grand opposition coalition and candidate unification, which are essential conditions for regime change in next year's presidential election, we need open leadership, communicative leadership, and leadership of inclusion and unity. I want to take on this task."

Cho emphasized, "I will make it a large vessel that all governors and passionate citizens willing to join the cause of regime change can gladly be part of," adding, "I will build an open party, a humble and low-profile party, a party of people who can always put themselves aside for the right cause."

He put 'innovation' at the forefront. Cho explained, "To fulfill the heavy historical mission entrusted to the People Power Party, a fresh breeze of innovation must blow within us. Through this party convention, new faces should appear, new voices should be heard, and new messages should emerge."

He continued, "I will gather the best talents to create a governing alternative force," saying, "To secure a sure victory in next year's presidential election, the grand opposition must not only serve as a platform for regime judgment but also gain the people's firm trust as a governing alternative force entrusted with the country's future. To build governing capability and national reform capacity that the people can trust and entrust, I will gather the best talents over the next year."

After the press conference, when asked by reporters about the legitimacy of former President Park Geun-hye's impeachment, Cho responded, "I first respect the impeachment resolution passed by the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea and the impeachment judgment decision made by the Constitutional Court."

Regarding the pardons of former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, he said, "It is natural that pardons are granted by the new administration after a regime change, but it is more reasonable for President Moon Jae-in and the current administration to grant pardons before their term ends."

He also mentioned the recruitment of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl. Cho said, "There are still indirect channels for communication," adding, "Once the party system is reorganized and former Prosecutor General Yoon's political stance is clarified, I believe diverse and active dialogue and communication will take place."

Rep. Cho Hae-jin of the People Power Party declared his candidacy for party leader on the 23rd at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul. (Photo by Yonhap News)

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