Jo Eung-cheon Criticizes Jang Dong-hyuk's Leadership as a Disaster for South Korea

Jo Eung-cheon, candidate for Gyeonggi governor and co-chair of the Reform Party's election committee, speaks at the first central election committee meeting for the June 3 local elections at the National Assembly on May 11. [Photo=Yonhap News]

Jo Eung-cheon, the Reform Party candidate for Gyeonggi governor, strongly criticized the leadership of Jang Dong-hyuk, stating that its continuation would be a disaster for South Korea.

During an appearance on CBS Radio's "Park Seong-tae's News Show" on May 22, Jo responded to a question about whether the opposition party's leadership should change to effectively check the ruling party. He remarked, "Jang will try to hold onto power in any way possible."

He added that if Yang Hyang-ja, the People Power Party's candidate for Gyeonggi governor, achieves her goals, it could be a factor that allows Jang to maintain his position, stating, "If you vote for Yang, Jang will survive."

Jo characterized the relationship between Jang and Yang as a "symbiotic relationship," noting, "Last fall, when Jang met former President Yoon Suk-yeol in prison and cried, Yang said, 'Jang kept his promise.' They are mutually supportive, like each other's lifeline."

He criticized the People Power Party for failing to check the ruling Democratic Party and the Lee Jae-myung administration, which he accused of monopolizing all power, including local authority. He emphasized the importance of the first opposition party functioning effectively.

Finally, regarding the possibility of conservative unification, Jo stated, "I am someone who is struggling to break the two-party cartel," and clarified, "I will not move toward solidifying the two-party cartel."

* This article has been translated by AI.

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