Cho Kuk Continues Criticism: "Kim Yongnam's Lending Allegations Negatively Impacting Seoul and Yeongnam Elections"

Calling on the Democratic Party to “take responsible action and resolve the issue themselves”

Echoes President Lee Jaemyung’s mention of shutting down ‘Ilbe’

Jo Guk, the Joguk Innovation Party candidate for the National Assembly by-election in Pyeongtaek, stated on May 25 that the allegations against Democratic Party candidate Kim Yongnam regarding "running a lending business under a borrowed name" are "having a very negative impact on elections in Yeongnam and Seoul, which can be considered competitive regions," continuing his criticism.

Jo Guk, candidate of the Guk Guk Innovation Party and standing election committee chairman, who is running in the National Assembly by-election in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, is speaking at the Central Election Committee meeting held at the election office in Pyeongtaek City, Gyeonggi Province on the 25th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

In a CBS radio interview on the same day, Jo said, "In particular, the enthusiasm of supporters and party members who are actively working within the democratic reform camp is waning," expressing the above view.

Regarding the Democratic Party's response the previous day to the Joguk Innovation Party's call for an ethics investigation—asking them to "respect the boundaries"—he said, "Is simply responding, 'Since Kim is a Democratic Party talent, nobody should worry, we'll take care of it,' really a solution? I do not think so."

Jo, as party leader, also remarked, "As another party, I believe we have the right to call on the Democratic Party to take responsible action," and stressed, "The Democratic Party, as a responsible party, and candidate Kim, as a responsible politician, must clearly state their positions." Jo had also urged the Democratic Party to "resolve the issue themselves" the previous day, stating that the allegations against Kim are "serious."

Regarding President Lee Jaemyung's mention of the need to consider shutting down websites such as Ilbe Storage, Jo agreed, saying, "The hate and incitement characteristic of Ilbe are evils that corrode democracy."

Jo also commented on the President's strong criticism of Starbucks, which released a "Siren Mug" for the 10th anniversary of the Sewol Ferry disaster two years ago, saying, "Isn't it unacceptable for a responsible large corporation to engage in hate marketing?" and added, "This is not an issue that should be quietly overlooked."

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