Accepting the Resignation of 'First Recruit' Jo Dong-yeon... "Firm Stance to Protect the Children" (Comprehensive)

Professor Jo Dong-yeon of Seokyeong University, who was recruited as the co-chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea's joint election campaign committee, attended the welcoming event held at the central party office in Seoul on the 30th and gave a greeting. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] The Democratic Party of Korea has accepted the resignation of Jo Dong-yeon, the Standing Election Committee Chairperson. Despite opposition from party leader Song Young-gil and others, Jo, who had been under attack from conservative YouTubers and others over issues such as extramarital children and divorce reasons, reportedly did not waver in her decision to resign.

On the 3rd, Ko Yong-jin, the senior spokesperson for the election committee, stated in a written briefing, "Although Song Young-gil, the Standing Election Committee Chairperson, tried to dissuade her, Jo was firm in her decision to resign in order to protect her children from character assassination attacks," adding, "We have decided to accept her resignation."

Senior spokesperson Ko said, "It is regrettable, but we had no choice but to respect Jo's wishes and decided to accept her resignation after consulting with candidate Lee Jae-myung," and added, "Chairperson Song emphasized that the vile acts tormenting Jo Dong-yeon and her children must stop."

Earlier, on the 30th of last month, the Democratic Party appointed Jo, a defense and science expert, as their first recruited talent. Jo is a professor in the Department of Military Studies at Seokyeong University and the head of the Future Defense Technology Startup Center. Born in 1982, she is also a working mother. She graduated from the Korea Military Academy and earned a master's degree in Public Administration from Harvard University's Kennedy School. She is known to have served in overseas deployment units such as the Iraq Zaytun Division, the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, and the Army Headquarters Policy Office.

However, immediately after the announcement of her recruitment, lawyer Kang Yong-seok of the Garosero Research Institute and some media outlets raised personal life controversies, including allegations of extramarital children, placing her at the center of the issue. Just three days after her appointment, she expressed her intention to voluntarily resign to party leader Song Young-gil today.

Candidate Lee Jae-myung said on social media (SNS) on the same day, "She joined me with the determination to change the world, but she and her family have suffered great wounds," and "I am sorry to Chairperson Jo Dong-yeon and her family," adding, "I ask that you show consideration so that Chairperson Jo Dong-yeon and her family no longer experience pain or hurt."

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