![Cho Kuk, candidate from the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, acknowledges his election defeat at his campaign office in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, on June 4. [Photo=Yonhap News]](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2026/06/17/20260617085008616297.jpg)
Cho Kuk, the former leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, cited the failure of an electoral alliance as the reason for his defeat in the Pyeongtaek by-election held on June 3. During the campaign, he engaged in a heated debate with Kim Yong-nam, the Democratic Party candidate, which ultimately led to the failure of a unification effort.
On Facebook, Cho stated, "The defeat of the broad democratic camp in Pyeongtaek is due to my shortcomings and inadequacies," adding that unlike regions where electoral alliances were formed, they lost in Pyeongtaek.
He further remarked, "I have come to realize how challenging the path of a 'new majority coalition' is, which I have consistently emphasized and pursued since entering politics. I will reflect deeply on what needs to be done to avoid a lack of national appeal in the 2028 general election based on the results of the Pyeongtaek election."
In this election, Cho promoted a platform of 'zero People Power Party' due to the need to eliminate insurrectionist forces, but failed to unify with Kim, resulting in the loss of the seat to Yoo Yi-dong of the People Power Party.
Earlier, Kim Jun-hyung, the newly elected floor leader of the Innovation Party, also emphasized the importance of electoral alliances. After his election, he told reporters, "In elections decided by a margin of 3-4 percentage points, a coalition of the ruling parties is at least necessary."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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