Cho Kuk, Memoir 'The Time of Cho Kuk' Published, What Are Your Thoughts?

Cho Kuk "I hope you step on me and move forward"
"False information is being spread by the conservative cartel"
Opposition "No remorse to the end, boldly even publishing"
Ruling party "'Cho Kuk's Time' should be our milestone"

The book "The Time of Cho Kuk," written by former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, will be published on the 1st of next month. Photo by Cho Kuk, former Minister of Justice, Facebook capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk will publish a memoir-style book next month. The Democratic Party of Korea expressed words of consolation, while the People Power Party criticized Cho for not showing remorse until the end.

On the 27th, Cho Kuk announced on his Facebook that his book, Cho Kuk’s Time: Pain and Truth, Untold Thoughts, will be released nationwide through online and offline bookstores on June 1.

Regarding the background of the book’s publication, he said, “After a long period of reflection and self-restraint, I carefully prepared this book,” and introduced it as “a compilation of the series of events that occurred after I was nominated as Minister of Justice on August 9, 2019, and stories that have not been revealed before.”

He also stated, “Regardless of the reasons, I apologize once again for causing national division,” but emphasized, “Although I am currently on trial amid the overwhelming spread of false information disseminated by the cartel of prosecutors, media, and conservative opposition parties, I thought it necessary to provide at least a minimal explanation.”

Cho Kuk said, “After the April 7 by-elections, I have been politically summoned again. The ‘Everything Leads to Cho Kuk’ frame has not ended, and even within the ruling party, some say the election defeat is ‘because of Cho Kuk.’ I hope you step on me and move forward,” he added.

To his supporters, he said, “I dedicate this book to the millions of candlelight citizens. The historic achievements such as the establishment of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials and the adjustment of investigative authority between the police and prosecutors were thanks to you,” and added, “Although a difficult path still remains, I will walk silently and keep walking.”

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk [Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ Opposition: “No remorse until the end... Shamelessness and deceiving the people, a microcosm of this administration”

The People Power Party immediately criticized the news of Cho Kuk’s book publication. Hwang Gyu-hwan, the standing deputy spokesperson, said in a verbal comment on the 27th, “Is the spark still not extinguished? The unfairness and injustice shown by former Minister Cho are nothing but a bad fireplay that should disappear forever in the Republic of Korea.”

Deputy Spokesperson Hwang said, “Although Cho Kuk is on trial, he is trying to stage another deception of the people,” and added, “If he feels so wronged and confident, he should just accept the judgment of the law.” He continued, “The shamelessness and deception of the people, who do not show remorse until the end, do not say sorry, and rather boldly publish a book, seem like a miniature version of this administration.”

Also, Kwon Kyung-ae, co-author of A Country Never Experienced Before, sarcastically commented on her Facebook the same day, “People like me, who have confirmed countless lies of that family through various investigative materials, indictments, trial documents, and rulings, will probably buy the book to see what kind of misleading arguments or defenses suitable for court are written.”

She criticized, “The person who only repeats Article 148 of the Criminal Procedure Act in court ‘apologizes once again for causing national division regardless of the reason’ and seeks to further expand national division. It seems the Democratic Party’s presidential election is doomed because of this book.”

She added, “Former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae is also running for president by publishing an autobiography, so thanks to these two former ministers, someone will have an easy time winning.”

Additionally, Kim Woong, a People Power Party lawmaker and former prosecutor, posted on Facebook the promotional phrase of Cho Kuk’s book, “The spark is still not extinguished!” and mocked, “Then you’ll wet your pants at night.”

◆ Ruling Party: “Truly heartbreaking and sorry”

On the other hand, former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon said, “After finishing the press conference for the publication of my book A Country That Protects My Life: Lee Nak-yeon’s Promise this morning and on my way to the provinces, I heard the news of former Minister Cho Kuk’s book publication,” and added, “It is not easy to imagine how he recalled the past and how he wrote the book.”

He continued, “Even though his family is imprisoned and he is spending a time like exile himself, the political turmoil repeatedly summons his name. It is truly heartbreaking and sorry.”

Former leader Lee said, “However, the responsibility to nurture the seeds of reform sown by former Minister Cho remains with us,” and added, “I will also devote my efforts to completing the reform tasks of our government, especially prosecutorial reform, which were laid as a foundation amid his hardships.”

Former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae also posted on Facebook on the 28th, saying, “Cho Kuk’s ordeal is not a personal matter,” and gave it significance by saying, “Cho Kuk’s ordeal is a reform history of candlelight citizens reminding us that prosecutorial reform, the beginning of candlelight reform established by the candlelight nation, must never be stopped.”

She added, “He took the flag of prosecutorial reform, the command of candlelight citizens, and led the way, charging into the strong resistance of the prosecution, enduring the time of ordeal and humiliation with his entire family,” and emphasized, “What we must do for him, who has become the target of the unchecked prosecutorial power and the crossfire of public trials, is to advance reform without interruption step by step.” She concluded, “Cho Kuk’s Time must become our milestone.”

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