Jogeuk Innovation Party Begins 'Standing Alone' in Earnest... "Competition with Minjoo Party"

'By-election Planning Team and Organization Strengthening Special Committee' Established
"We Will Nominate Local Constituency Candidates to Become a Mass Party"

The Joguk Innovation Party announced that it will actively 'compete' with the Democratic Party of Korea at the regional level. This signifies their intention to pursue an independent path, dispelling evaluations that label them as a 'Democratic Party's second fiddle' or a 'party that will merge with the Democratic Party.'

Currently, the Joguk Innovation Party's members of the National Assembly consist only of 12 proportional representatives who gained seats through party support rates. They plan to field candidates in the upcoming by-elections on October 16. They also emphasized their commitment to actively nominate candidates in the 2026 local elections. The Joguk Innovation Party will form a Special Committee for Organizational Strengthening early next month to appoint regional chairpersons nationwide.

Kim Bohyeop, the chief spokesperson of the Joguk Innovation Party, met with reporters after the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 29th and said, "We have formed a by-election planning team and are conducting on-site inspections," adding, "We are considering fielding candidates in all four confirmed election districts." When asked about the 'possibility of winning,' he responded, "That question is too early," but stated, "We will strive to secure at least one winner." He further added, "Based on the results of the by-elections, we plan to field candidates in the upcoming local elections and move forward as a mass party."

Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, is seen turning away after taking a commemorative photo with Park Chan-dae, acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, at the National Assembly on the 24th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Hwang Hyunseon, the secretary-general, said at a press briefing the day before, "Even if we cooperate with the Democratic Party in the National Assembly from the second half of this year, competition will intensify at the regional level." He mentioned, "If the Joguk Innovation Party succeeds in the by-elections, it will cause significant cracks in the 2026 local election landscape," and added, "Some people who find it difficult to receive nominations from the Democratic Party may consider joining the Joguk Innovation Party."

Since the Joguk Innovation Party formed its leadership through elections for the first time at the nationwide party members' convention on the 20th, this is interpreted as a strong will to differentiate itself from the Democratic Party in earnest. So far, the Democratic Party has shown lukewarm responses to specific proposals such as the Joguk Innovation Party's call for easing the criteria for negotiation groups in the National Assembly, leading to differing opinions on details. However, a Joguk Innovation Party official stated, "That is a separate issue," and added, "The relationship with the Democratic Party remains unchanged on the basis of firm cooperation and constructive competition."

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