Jo Guk Vows to Be a "Political Catalyst": Will He Become a Game Changer in Democratic Party-Dominated Honam Politics?

First Regional Convention Held in South Jeolla on the 17th
Vows to "Change the Democratic Party's Monopoly"
Promises People-Centered Political Innovation
Party Leader and Supreme Council Members to Be Elected on the 23rd

Former Emergency Committee Chairman Jo Guk running for the leadership election of the National Innovation Party.

On November 17, former Emergency Committee Chairman Jo Guk, who is running unopposed for the leadership of the National Innovation Party, visited South Jeolla Province and declared, "I will become a political catalyst and change the current Democratic Party monopoly."

The National Innovation Party held its first regional event for the upcoming party convention to elect new leadership in the briefing room on the 5th floor of the South Jeolla Provincial Council building that morning. Alongside candidate Jo, Supreme Council candidates Lim Hyungtaek, Jeong Chunsaeng, Jeong Kyungho, and Shin Jangshik were also present.

Candidate Jo stated, "I will innovate the Democratic Party-centered politics of South Jeolla into people-centered, livelihood-focused politics," adding, "At the same time, I will act as a political catalyst to fundamentally transform the politics of South Jeolla."

This refers to the so-called "catfish effect," where the presence of a strong competitor stimulates the potential of others and energizes the overall atmosphere.

Candidate Jo criticized, "The two-party system centered on the Democratic Party and the People Power Party is one of hostile coexistence," adding, "Two-party politics has turned local politics from self-governance into rule for themselves. The people of South Jeolla are bearing the brunt of this."

He also pledged, "I will root out the hidden forces of rebellion everywhere," and vowed that in next year's local elections, the number of People Power Party-affiliated metropolitan mayors in the province would be reduced to zero, and the number of basic-level mayors and both metropolitan and basic-level council members would be halved.

He also announced his stance on next year's local election strategy.

Candidate Jo said, "In the case of Gwangju and South Jeolla, I believe the People Power Party candidates have zero chance of winning," adding, "With the strategic goal of reducing the number of People Power Party candidates to zero, we will compete fiercely in Gwangju and South Jeolla."

He continued, "Our goal is to field candidates in all multi-member basic council districts next year," and added, "We will discuss the candidates for metropolitan council and basic-level mayors after the party convention."

The Supreme Council candidates present at the event also emphasized the need for change in the Democratic Party-centered political structure of the Honam region.

Assemblyman Shin Jangshik stated, "If we allow the Democratic Party to monopolize the political arena in Honam simply because they wear the party's colors, it will be difficult for democracy to advance in the region."

Lim Hyungtaek, co-regional chairperson for Iksan City, remarked, "Where competition and checks have disappeared, only complacency and stagnation remain. A wind of innovation must begin in South Jeolla."

Assemblyman Jeong Chunsaeng also declared, "I will break the Democratic Party's monopoly in Honam."

Jeong Kyungho, former chairman of the labor union at Roche Korea, said, "Together with fellow party members, I will lead innovation in South Jeolla."

Meanwhile, under the slogan "Sincerely Again, Advancing with Innovation," the National Innovation Party will hold a national party members' convention in Cheongju on November 23 to elect the party leader and two Supreme Council members.

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