Jo Guk Resigns as Party Leader over Pyeongtaek Election Defeat: "Failed to Open a New Path of Hope"

"Will reflect and strengthen myself to prepare for what comes next"
"Please make the party even stronger under the new leadership"

Jo Guk, leader of the National Innovation Party, resigned from his position as party leader on June 4, taking responsibility for his defeat in the National Assembly by-election for the Pyeongtaek constituency in Gyeonggi Province, which was held alongside the June 3 local elections. Jo stated, "Losing one battle does not mean giving up the entire war," and added, "I will reflect on myself and forge ahead, preparing for the next challenge."

Jo Guk, the candidate from the National Innovation Party who ran in the National Assembly by-election in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, is conceding defeat at the election office in Pyeongtaek City, Gyeonggi Province, on the 4th. Photo by Yonhap News

On this day, through his social media account, Jo announced his resignation from the party leadership, saying, "I will pause for a moment, but I hope fellow party members will continue to move forward with confidence."

He said, "I have always believed that, in order for the broad democratic camp not to repeat the failures and pains experienced after the Candlelight Revolution, solidarity and unity based on vision and values are absolutely necessary. In this election, I was unable to open a new path of hope before the party members who dedicated themselves under the name of the Innovation Party." He attributed the defeat to his own shortcomings.

Regarding the controversy over responsibility for the June 3 local elections, Jo commented, "It does not change the fact that the Innovation Party remains a progressive reformist party with twelve seats in the National Assembly," and requested, "Together with the new leadership, please make the Innovation Party’s DNA even stronger and more resilient."

Jo also made it clear that, for the time being, he intends to return to the status of an ordinary party member. He stated, "A tree endures through the strength of its roots," and added, "As a sovereign party member, I will always be there with you, supporting from behind."

Jo ran in the National Assembly by-election for the Pyeongtaek constituency but only managed to come in third place with 27.2% of the vote. Jo and Kim Yong-nam, the Democratic Party candidate (28.8%), failed to unify their candidacies, leading to a competitive race in which Yoo Eui-dong, the People Power Party candidate, secured victory with 34.8% of the votes.

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