Reconciliation Talks with the Rebuilding Korea Party Were Never About Horse-Trading
Cho Kuk, head of the Rebuilding Korea Party's Innovation Policy Research Institute, pushed back on Wednesday against remarks by Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok regarding an alliance or merger, calling them "insulting." Writing on Facebook, Cho dismissed the comments as "a classic straw man attack," and said that since Kim took over as party leader, the Democratic Party had never made any proposal for talks—whether merger or alliance—meaning there had been no demand for a "share" of anything at all.
Regarding Kim's mention of "competitiveness-centered alliance and integration," Cho said it "reads as though the Rebuilding Korea Party lacks 'competitiveness,' so we should bow our heads, keep quiet, and come in—and then we'd be accepted. It's insulting." He asked, "Should such language really have been used toward comrades-in-arms who fought shoulder to shoulder through the insurrection crisis and the presidential election?" Cho added, "The Rebuilding Korea Party has been at the forefront of Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment, prosecutorial reform, political reform, and real estate reform, and has led in competitiveness as well," noting that "under leader Shin Jang-sik, the party will continue to build on that competitiveness."
Meanwhile, regarding the assignment of district chapter chairs among the party leadership, Secretary-General Jung Chung-saeng announced at a press briefing on Wednesday that Cho would be appointed district chapter chair of Pyeongtaek. For Gangneung, where a special election is scheduled for next year, spokesperson Lim Myung-hee will take the post. In Seoul, senior party figures were assigned in force, including floor leader Kim Joon-hyung (Mapo District), Secretary-General Jung (Gangseo District), spokesperson Park Byung-eon (Seodaemun District), and strategy committee chair Lee Kyu-won (Yeongdeungpo District).
Jung said, "We will plant strong roots in the regions," adding, "Now that district chapter chairs have spread their roots among residents, the Rebuilding Korea Party will be reborn as a sturdier, more solid party." He went on, "A political party is an organization judged through elections," saying, "We intend to field candidates in next year's special and by-elections."
