[Local Election Relay Interview] Jo Jeong-sik "Ryu, Hiddink is Hiddink... Kim, Lacking Confidence to Change Primary Rules?"

②Jo Jeong-sik Gyeonggi Province Governor Preliminary Candidate
'Leader of Pro-Lee Jae-myung Faction' Title... "14 Years of Connection with Advisor Lee Jae-myung"
"Yoo Seung-min, Is Gyeonggi Province Governor a Place to Manage Presidential Election Candidacy?"
"Kim Dong-yeon, Changing Primary Rules Does Not Align with Principles and Justifications... Should Have Taken Another Path if Lacking Confidence"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] The most intense primary election in the June 1 local elections is expected to take place in Gyeonggi Province. All four preliminary candidates from the Democratic Party of Korea boast impressive experience, making the competition for the final ticket increasingly fierce. Among them, Cho Jung-sik, a five-term Democratic Party lawmaker and a key figure in the pro-Lee Jae-myung faction, emphasizes his 14-year association with Senior Advisor Lee Jae-myung and positions himself as a 'competent worker' who will succeed Lee in governing Gyeonggi Province.

In an interview with Asia Economy on the 5th, Rep. Cho said, "I have been entrusted with key positions in the party and the National Assembly, earning the nickname 'Yeouido policy expert' due to my capabilities, focusing on delivering results and achievements." He added, "Gyeonggi Province is not a place to win based on name recognition but a place where one must continue the work Lee has done and produce results," emphasizing that he is the right person for the job.

Jojung-sik, preliminary candidate for Governor of Gyeonggi Province from the Democratic Party of Korea. / Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Regarding Yoo Seung-min, a former lawmaker running as the People Power Party candidate, Cho directly criticized, saying, "People of Gyeonggi will not tolerate someone who failed in Daegu running for governor here," adding, "Even Hiddink is Hiddink in his own way."

He also took a sharp jab at Kim Dong-yeon, leader of the New Wave and his Democratic primary rival, stating, "Changing the primary rules is against principles and justification. If he lacked confidence, he should have taken another path." Contrary to his usual reputation for being 'scholarly' in speech and character, on this day he highlighted his strengths and threw blunt pitches at his opponents.

Below is a Q&A with Rep. Cho.

Jojung-sik, preliminary candidate for Governor of Gyeonggi Province from the Democratic Party of Korea. / Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

- The Gyeonggi gubernatorial race is a four-way contest (Cho Jung-sik, Kim Dong-yeon, Ahn Min-seok, Yeom Tae-young). Why should it be Cho Jung-sik?

▲ This election has two major meanings. To check the unilateralism and lack of communication of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, Gyeonggi Province holds symbolic significance and must be defended. Also, Gyeonggi is a place imbued with the achievements, values, and philosophy of Senior Advisor Lee Jae-myung, and this election is about inheriting and developing his legacy to make Gyeonggi the political center. Cho Jung-sik has been involved in Gyeonggi politics for 20 years, knows the province best, and is the right person to realize the Democratic Party’s legitimacy. Moreover, having worked alongside Senior Advisor Lee for 14 years, he has contributed to Gyeonggi’s achievements. Given that Gyeonggi is a vast metropolitan area, it requires capable leadership. During his five terms as a lawmaker, he held key positions such as Policy Committee Chair and Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee Chair, delivering results. When Lee was elected governor in 2018, Cho chaired the transition committee, designing Gyeonggi’s administration and future vision. The remodeling of apartments in Seongnam Bundang, which Lee pushed with a petition of 10,000 signatures in 2010, was also initiated and promoted by me through a bill to amend remodeling laws.

- You are recommending Senior Advisor Lee to run in the by-election for your soon-to-be-vacant Gyeonggi Siheung-eul seat as part of 'protecting Lee Jae-myung.' Why?

▲ Few people believe that President Yoon will not engage in political retaliation. During the presidential election, he did not even mention investigations into Moon Jae-in’s alleged corruption. Looking at what the transition committee is doing now, it is not about national unity or cooperation but about unilateralism, erasing Moon’s legacy, raids, and investigations, as seen in the Blue House relocation. Many are worried about the next five years. There is concern about steering the government in a different direction, and the nature of power makes it difficult to tolerate a divided legislature. If Senior Advisor Lee runs for party leadership in August while retaining his lawmaker seat, it will give him more strength.

- What do you think about the possibility of Lee’s early political comeback?

▲ Among Lee’s supporters, there is a strong voice that he should run in the August party convention to build a strong Democratic Party. From that perspective, Lee’s comeback requires strategic consideration of the overall situation. The disappointment after the presidential defeat is quickly fading. The local elections could be an opportunity to regain momentum. Also, to run in the August party convention, it is necessary to hold a lawmaker seat, as has been the case historically. This allows one to lead the main opposition party and parliamentary affairs. Lee will inevitably participate in election support for the local elections. Especially in the metropolitan area, there is lingering enthusiasm from the 'Lee Jae-myung fandom' during the presidential election, and there will likely be many requests for him to step up in the local elections. He will appear in some form and should do so. Although it is customary to allow some time after the presidential election, the current circumstances are exceptional.

Jojung-sik, preliminary candidate for Governor of Gyeonggi Province from the Democratic Party of Korea. / Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

- The race is already being seen as a 'Kim Dong-yeon vs. Yoo Seung-min' big match. Do you feel any pressure from this?

▲ I see it as a kind of framing. Yoo, in fact, failed twice in the presidential primaries and has changed party affiliation several times. Although he may have high name recognition from running for president, running for Gyeonggi governor does not fit in terms of substance. The People Power Party must have had no other candidates to nominate someone who failed twice. There is much criticism of the Gyeonggi atmosphere. I believe the people of Gyeonggi will not tolerate it. Since Gyeonggi is a large metropolitan area, it needs someone who can create a vision. Yoo’s candidacy is not for Gyeonggi’s administration but merely for managing his presidential ambitions. I am skeptical about his affection and capability for Gyeonggi.

- Yoo compared himself to 'Hiddink,' saying ability is more important than local ties. What do you think?

▲ Even Hiddink is Hiddink in his own way. He says he will bring about reform, but that experiment already failed when he ran for president in Daegu. Doing it again is desperate.

- There is conflict among candidates over the Democratic Party primary rules. What do you think about Kim Dong-yeon’s chances of passing the primary?

▲ Changing the rules while being a candidate is against basic principles and fairness. If he lacked confidence, he should have taken another path. He declined a request to run for Seoul mayor but now wants to change the primary rules to his advantage for the Gyeonggi governor race, which is unconvincing. After the presidential election, the Democratic Party has seen a rapid increase in new members. Opening the voting to new members is innovation and necessary for the primary’s success.

- You have a strong 'soft inside, strong outside' image. There seems to be a call for strong leadership within the party. What is your view?

▲ I have always shown action when it was time to fight. During the forced passage of the MB media law, I occupied the plenary hall and led the protest. I have a temperament of fighting fiercely against injustice and military dictatorship alongside workers on the ground. When the Grand National Party tried to push through the media law by executive order, I jumped onto the podium to stop it. The current prosecution reform is similar. The Democratic Party will be in opposition for the next five years, and we must protect the socially vulnerable, realize community justice, and uphold the value of peace. We must reform and rise again from criticisms of becoming entrenched and hypocritical. The first task is prosecution reform. I will do my utmost to ensure its passage.

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