Leader of new minor party proposes talks with Yoon


SEOUL, April 14 (Yonhap) — A disgraced former justice minister who became the leader of the third-largest political party said Sunday he proposed talks with President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Cho Kuk, the leader of the new Rebuilding Korea Party, made the proposal in a Facebook posting, days after his party secured 12 proportional seats — the third-largest political party in the 300-member parliament.

“As the leader of the third-largest party, I hope to meet President Yoon Suk Yeol anytime, in any format,” Cho said.

Cho, a former prominent law professor at Seoul National University, had served as the senior presidential secretary for civil affairs from 2017 to 2019 under the preceding Moon Jae-in administration. As one of Moon’s closest aides, Cho was subsequently appointed as justice minister in September 2019.

However, he resigned in disgrace about a month later following an investigation into an academic fraud case involving his children, when Yoon was prosecutor-general.

Cho was convicted of academic fraud in connection with his daughter’s college admissions and unlawful interference with a separate government inspection. In February, an appeals court upheld a two-year prison sentence for Cho. A final guilty verdict could strip Cho of the parliamentary seat.

Former Justice Minister Cho Kuk (front), leader of the minor Rebuilding Korea Party, visits the National Cemetery in Seoul on April 12, 2024. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

Former Justice Minister Cho Kuk (front), leader of the minor Rebuilding Korea Party, visits the National Cemetery in Seoul on April 12, 2024. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

kdh@yna.co.kr
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