Cho Kuk Warns, "Pushing for Withdrawal of Prosecution May Backfire"... Innovation Party Checks Democratic Party's 'Grand Unification'

Park Jiwon: "He’s making groundless claims"
Park Beomgye: "Cho Kuk’s views are important"

Cho Kuk, head of the Policy Innovation Research Institute of the Jokook Innovation Party, issued a warning to the Democratic Party of Korea, which is pushing for withdrawal of prosecution in cases related to President Lee Jaemyung. He said, “If you push ahead, you may face political and legal backlash.” In response, members of the Democratic Party publicly refuted Cho’s remarks.

Jokook, Leader of the Jokook Innovation Party. Yonhap News

On September 1, Cho argued on Facebook that the accusation must first be proven fabricated in order to pursue a withdrawal of prosecution. He also raised legal issues concerning the Democratic Party’s move to include President Lee’s case, which is currently pending on appeal, as a candidate for withdrawal of prosecution.

On September 2, Democratic Party lawmaker Park Jiwon criticized Cho, saying, “He’s making groundless claims,” and urged, “Return to the Cho Kuk you once were.” Park explained that, to promote solidarity or a merger between the Democratic Party and the Innovation Party, provocative remarks that could antagonize the other side should be avoided. Park Sunwon, senior member of the party, also joined the criticism, saying of Cho’s comments, “The basics must be upheld.”

Nevertheless, discussions about potential unification with the Jokook Innovation Party are picking up speed within the Democratic Party. On September 2, Park Beomgye, head of the Grand Unification Task Force under Democratic Party leader Kim Minseok, stated, “Cho Kuk’s views are important,” and expressed his intention to meet and have an open conversation with Cho. Kim also requested the Innovation Party the previous day to designate a communication channel for further discussions.

This dispute arose as Kim is pushing for a ‘grand unification’ with the broader progressive bloc. The Democratic Party has recently launched its Grand Unification Task Force and started to accelerate talks about partnership or merger with the Innovation Party. On the other hand, while the Innovation Party is collaborating with the Democratic Party, it continues to maintain its independent voice on key issues. As the regular National Assembly session approaches, attention is focused on whether this controversy will subside, especially in light of the need for bipartisan cooperation on major legislative agendas.

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