Liberal, conservative fronts divided over Cho’s resignation

News of embattled Justice Minister Cho Kuk’s resignation on Monday did little to close the stark gap between liberals and conservatives still unwilling to conciliate their opposing views on the former justice minister’s appointment.

Liberals were disappointed with the news.

“It is highly regrettable that Cho had to resign before completing reforms he promised,” said Hong Ik-pyo, spokesperson for the ruling Democratic Party of Korea. “Despite mounting difficulties, Cho has done a superb job of putting reforms into action to this point.”

Yoo Sang-jin, spokesperson for the progressive Justice Party, offered similar remarks, saying, “We highly praise Cho’s efforts in prosecution reforms, and he has laid a stepping stone for future reforms to take place.”

The conservative bloc hailed Cho’s resignation.

“Albeit a little late, his resignation is a natural course of action,” said Na Kyung-won, floor leader of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party, addressing reporters at the National Assembly after Cho’s resignation.

She stepped up the rhetoric, saying, “The Moon administration should apologize to the public for wreaking the public division with Cho’s appointment as justice minister.” Na urged the prosecution to continue its probe into the corruption allegations against Cho’s family, regardless of the resignation.

Oh Shin-hwan, floor leader of the minor conservative Bareunmirae Party, struck a similar chord, saying, “Cho’s resignation doesn’t mean an end but a beginning.” He blamed President Moon Jae-in for causing public division with Cho’s appointment.

Conservative civic groups also voiced similar sentiments, but on different grounds.

Kim Sang-jin, president of conservative Freedom Solidarity, said, “Cho’s prosecution reforms are nothing new. In fact, the so-called reforms under the Moon administration are only going backward and not forward.”

“I have been raided by the prosecution myself, with my cellphone seized under warrant. But the court has blocked the prosecution’s attempt to seize Cho’s cellphone. Why? The court must see to an impartial probe into Cho.”

By Choi Si-young (siyoungchoi@heraldcorp.com)