Jokuk New Party Rumors... "Skills Declined" vs "Not a Novel"

Former Minister Cho Kuk's New Party Formation Rumors Draw Mixed Reactions from Opposition
Recognized as a General Election Variable, Opinions Differ on Its Disruptive Impact

Speculation about a new party led by former Justice Minister Cho Kuk is shaking the opposition party about 300 days ahead of the general election.

When Park Ji-won, former National Intelligence Service director, who advocated the "Cho Kuk Gwangju new party theory," was targeted by Democratic Party lawmaker Woo Sang-ho saying he had "lost his touch," Park responded with "just wait and see." Former lawmaker Sohn Hye-won also added that Cho's new party could be a "party with clarity."

Cho's candidacy and the formation of a new party are uncomfortable issues for the Democratic Party, which fears the "double standards" (naeronambul: "romance if I do it, infidelity if others do") frame, and there is a cautious atmosphere within the party asking for restraint.

On the 22nd, Park Ji-won expressed confidence on CBS's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" regarding criticism of his "Cho Kuk Gwangju new party theory" by saying, "Let's wait and see." His logic is that with ongoing investigations into Cho's family, including the prosecution's review of whether to indict Cho's daughter, Cho Min, Cho has no choice but to enter politics to protect his family and restore his honor.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, Democratic Party lawmaker Woo Sang-ho, who said he exchanged text messages with Cho the day before, shot back at Park Ji-won, saying, "Cho sent a message that he wants to focus on his second trial," and criticized Park by saying he had "lost his touch."

In response, Park Ji-won maintained his position, saying, "If I really exchanged messages with Cho like that, Cho would not be able to say now that he is running, forming a new party, or going to Gwangju," explaining that the timing simply did not allow Cho to make such statements. Park also emphasized on MBC Radio's "Shin Jang-sik's News High Kick" the day before, "I am not a fiction writer."

Park Ji-won is not the only one mentioning the possibility of a "Cho Kuk new party." Former lawmaker Sohn Hye-won, who had also revealed plans to form a new party centered around lawmaker Kim Nam-guk, said on her YouTube channel "Sohn Hye-won TV," "Leaving aside whether Cho Kuk will run in the general election, I think people are currently preparing a party centered around him."

Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Sang-min also said on YTN Radio on the 19th, in response to the host's question, "Wouldn't Cho Kuk run along with forming a new party?" that "I think the possibility of his candidacy is high. Because whenever someone tries to run, there is a stir, and they try to make their name known and show their presence, and I think he is showing such signs."

However, within the Democratic Party, there is an unfavorable atmosphere toward Cho's candidacy and the new party speculation. This is because it could shift next year's general election framework from a "judgment on the Yoon Suk-yeol government" to a "judgment on the Democratic Party's double standards." In fact, there is also a realistic concern that if he forms a party, it could eat into the Democratic Party's votes in some regions.

Former lawmaker Sohn also said, "Our party members, who are on the verge of going crazy with this lukewarm Democratic Party, will rally as if they have found truly refreshing spring water."

Kim Young-jin, a Democratic Party lawmaker and one of the so-called "7-person group," who is a close aide to party leader Lee Jae-myung, said on BBS Radio that "Cho Kuk will probably think deeply about it," and Kim Jong-min, a non-Lee faction Democratic Party lawmaker, said on CBS Radio, "I don't think he would make such a reckless decision. It's just that political gossipers are digging up items ahead of the general election, which is why the new party theory is coming out."

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