'Time of Joguk' Sold Out but 'Home' Democratic Party Faces Split

Divided into Pro-Jin and Anti-Jin Factions, Confusion Ensues
Jo Eung-cheon & Park Yong-jin: "The Party Cannot Fall into the Quagmire Again"
Hong Ik-pyo: "Isn't There a Need to Review the Time Back Then?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] The memoir of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, titled "Cho Kuk's Time," is throwing the Democratic Party of Korea into turmoil. Although the memoir sold out quickly due to its popularity, the party is experiencing a period of confusion, divided between 'pro-Cho Kuk' and 'anti-Cho Kuk' factions.

Lawmakers Cho Eung-cheon and Park Yong-jin, classified as moderate progressives, urged party leader Song Young-gil to clarify his stance, saying, "The party cannot fall back into the quagmire called 'Cho Kuk's Time'." On the other hand, lawmaker Hong Ik-pyo stated in an interview with KBS Radio's "Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs" that "More than a year has passed since the Cho Kuk incident, but isn't it necessary to review that period?" Meanwhile, lawmaker Kim Nam-guk said on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" that "He probably wanted to spend time reflecting and share various facts that were not reported through the book." When asked if the party should take a position, Kim drew a line, saying, "Since I have never held party membership, it is difficult to consider me a Democratic Party member."

It appears that former Minister Cho expected the publication of his memoir to inject momentum into prosecutorial reform amid the presidential election climate. However, regardless of his hopes, experts believe that the very issue of 'Cho Kuk' emerging again could become a burden for the ruling party. Political commentator Park Sang-byeong said, "With the presidential election nine months away, the opposition will try to consolidate and launch offensives. This could hinder the ruling party's ability to govern effectively in the final phase of the term," adding, "Meanwhile, the ruling party is likely to be divided over whether they did well or poorly."

Pressure on presidential candidates is also expected to increase. Professor Park said, "Candidates will have to pay attention to both the support base needed to win the party primary and public opinion, so they will inevitably be required to provide answers." Former party leader Lee Nak-yeon and former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun have already made statements defending Cho Kuk, but Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung's silence is growing longer. Attention is focused on what message the party leadership will decide on. Senior spokesperson Ko Yong-jin told reporters after the Supreme Council meeting the previous day, "Leader Song Young-gil said he would listen to various opinions and then make a judgment."

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