Jo Eungcheon Announces Candidacy for Gyeonggi Governor, Vows to Run Without Unification

Former lawmaker Cho Eungcheon of the Reform New Party has announced his candidacy for governor of Gyeonggi Province in the nationwide local elections to be held on June 3. He stated, "Put aside the flawed choices of bad candidates and strange candidates, and select a 'good candidate' to serve as Gyeonggi Governor." Regarding the possibility of unifying with the People Power Party candidate, he said, "There is no reason for unification," making clear his intention to see the race through to the end.

On April 28, at the National Assembly communication office, former lawmaker Cho officially declared his candidacy for Gyeonggi governor. He explained, "I am here to let people know that there is a 'good candidate,' Cho Eungcheon, in the June 3 local elections, where voters are faced with the worst option of having to choose between a bad candidate and a strange candidate."

Former lawmaker Cho Eungcheon, running as a candidate for governor of Gyeonggi Province from the Reform New Party, is holding a press conference for his candidacy at the National Assembly communication office on the 28th. Photo by Yonhap News.

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He criticized, "The two major ruling parties have deprived Gyeonggi residents of their right to choose." He continued, "Gyeonggi residents have long been treated like egg whites surrounding the yolk, and now they are even at risk of being treated like discarded eggshells." He further emphasized, "Gyeonggi needs administration, not politics," and, "What matters is not the signboard but competence and experience."

Cho Eungcheon expressed his determination to resolve issues such as the gap in quality of life between southern and northern Gyeonggi, transportation problems, and the maintenance of semiconductor industrial complexes if elected governor. He stressed, "It is time to realize the miracle of Dongtan-where Chairman Lee Junseok was elected-across all of Gyeonggi Province." He added, "Let’s turn things upside down. Let’s create another legend of a dramatic comeback."

Regarding speculation about the possibility of a unified opposition candidate, Cho dismissed the idea, saying, "The People Power Party has almost lost its viability in Gyeonggi." However, he added that if the People Power Party makes a proposal, "I would listen to it." Chairman Lee Junseok, also at the event, remarked, "From the party’s perspective, the People Power Party no longer has the strength or capability to compete with the Democratic Party of Korea."

Cho Eungcheon also criticized Choo Mi-ae, the Democratic Party of Korea’s candidate for Gyeonggi governor, saying, "(Representative Choo) sees the governorship as a springboard for a bigger election in four years." He went on to emphasize, "Gyeonggi now needs wisdom to overcome barriers, and someone who can understand and work together with residents through their hardships, joys, and sorrows."

Former lawmaker Cho revealed that he struggled deeply before deciding to run. "Watching the chaos that unfolds daily in the National Assembly, I was filled with despair about whether politics should go on," he said. However, he explained that, "My biggest goal was to break the antagonistic symbiosis of the two major parties," and that he decided to run after ongoing persuasion and discussions within the Reform New Party.

Meanwhile, when asked whether there had been a meeting proposal from Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, Chairman Lee Junseok responded, "After Jang returned from his trip to the United States, I coordinated schedules with People Power Party Secretary-General Jeong Heeyong. At that time, due to my circumstances, I suggested another date, and since then, there has been no further contact between us."

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