Cho Kuk and lawmakers-elect visit former President Moon, Roh Moo-hyun's grave

Politics

Published: 15 Apr. 2024, 18:50 Updated: 15 Apr. 2024, 19:07

Cho Kuk and lawmakers-elect visit former President Moon, Roh Moo-hyun's grave

Former President Moon Jae-in, left, greets Cho Kuk, the leader of the liberal Rebuilding Korea Party, in front of his residence in Pyeongsan Village in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang, on Monday. [NEWS1]

Former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, now at the helm of the country’s third-largest political party, visited former President Moon Jae-in and the grave of late President Roh Moo-hyun on Monday with his elected party members.

Cho and 11 other Rebuilding Korea Party (RKP) members visited former President Moon’s residence in Pyeongsan Village in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang.

Moon greeted Cho and his party members outside the house, holding an umbrella as rain continued to fall. They were also spotted waving to supporters who came after hearing of the visit.

Moon congratulated Cho and the party members during the visit for making a “meaningful accomplishment,” according to the RKP’s press release.

Moon said Cho’s party made waves by pushing for a “judgment on the current administration” and significantly contributing to the liberal parties' victories.

The former president also hoped the party would "change and develop domestic politics."

Cho responded that he feels “greatly burdened,” saying the public’s expectations are much higher than the party’s capabilities.

After meeting with Moon, Cho's party visited the grave of late President Roh Moo-hyun at Bongha Village in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang.

The party then met with former first lady Kwon Yang-sook, Roh's widow, who told Cho and his fellow members that they would have many things to do in the coming days, according to Cho.

“I will do my best to change society, keeping in mind what former President Moon and former first lady Kwon said,” Cho told reporters.

Cho’s visits are seen as closely tied to the party’s foremost task of prosecutorial reform.

The party leader spearheaded prosecutorial reforms while serving only a month as justice minister during the preceding liberal Moon administration. Late President Roh began pushing for prosecutorial reforms, conducting a televised discussion with the prosecution in March 2003.

Before the visits on Monday, Cho wrote on Facebook that tension simmers between the presidential office and the prosecutors regarding the nomination of the next chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office.

He claimed that key criteria for the nomination would be the prosecutor’s loyalty to Yoon and the stance on dealing with accusations against first lady Kim Keon Hee.

“President Yoon is looking for a person with thick skin who can shield himself and his wife,” Cho wrote.

The visits on Monday came as Cho’s party was set to hold a two-day workshop to discuss party affairs ahead of the inauguration of the 22nd National Assembly in late May.

Cho and the elected members planned to spend Monday night at a training center in Bongha Village and discuss party affairs.

They will conclude the workshop after attending a remembrance service for Tuesday's 10th anniversary of the Sewol ferry tragedy in Ansan, Gyeonggi.

Next week, the party will visit the Honam regions, comprising Gwanju and the Jeolla provinces, to thank its supporters.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]