Cho Kuk, the Rebuilding Korea Party candidate running in the National Assembly by-election for the Pyeongtaek-B district in Gyeonggi Province, said Tuesday he will "enter the National Assembly and orderly lead the solidarity and integration of the democratic and progressive camp," emphasizing his commitment to unifying the ruling bloc. Regarding Kim Yong-nam, the Democratic Party candidate with whom he has been engaged in fierce exchanges as a district rival, Cho pressed: "The Democratic Party should first judge whether he meets the standards expected by the public."
In an interview with the Seoul Economic Daily, Cho said, "I am the right person who has points of contact with most parties and factions except the insurrection forces." He added, "Only through solidarity and integration can we make a success of the people's sovereignty government of President Lee Jae-myung, the joint candidate put forward by the democratic and progressive camp. And we can create the fifth democratic government."
Pyeongtaek-B is seeing intense competition in a three-way race among the Democratic Party, the People Power Party, and the Rebuilding Korea Party. While political attention is focused on a unified candidate within the ruling bloc in the district, Cho drew a line, saying, "With successive 'high-interest loan shark' allegations being raised against candidate Kim, this is not a situation to discuss unification."
The "high-interest loan shark allegations" refer to claims that Kim received dividends by operating a loan business under a borrowed name through an agricultural corporation he owns. The allegations, recently reported by a media outlet, have stirred controversy.
"Candidate Kim is denying the facts, but an evaluation based on public standards is necessary," Cho said. "The Democratic Party, the eldest brother of the democratic reform camp and the ruling party, must resolve this with a 'responsible choice,'" he said, indirectly calling on Kim to step aside.
Responding to criticism in some quarters that he has no local ties to Pyeongtaek-B, Cho said, "Pyeongtaek is a city built together by citizens who have come from various regions." He added, "What matters more than where you came from is whether you have the ability and execution power to solve local issues." He continued, "I served as senior presidential secretary for civil affairs at the Blue House and as Minister of Justice, working at the heart of state affairs and building a broad personal network. If you elect Cho Kuk, my abilities, network, and even the attention focused on me will all become assets for Pyeongtaek."
Asked about his vision for Pyeongtaek's development, Cho said, "I have announced 68 pledges so far. Including those to be announced during the campaign period, the total will be around 80." He explained, "Pyeongtaek has well-organized areas like Seoul metropolitan new towns, but also areas with only rice paddies and fields. We are making region-specific announcements with life-oriented pledges." On transportation pledges, which he cited as a key task, he said, "I will establish a new KTX Gyeonggi Nambu Station and have the extension of the Sinansan Line to Anjung Station reflected in the national plan."
Cho also painted a blueprint, saying, "Pyeongtaek is a city with a world-class industrial base, home to the world's largest semiconductor factory. It will become the brain and hub of artificial intelligence (AI) innovation that draws the world's attention."
