Jo Kyoung-tae visits Bongha while party rights are suspended: "Apologizing for political reality instead of politics"

Provided by the office of Rep. Jo Kyoung-tae of the People Power Party
On the 9th, People Power Party Representative Jo Kyoung-tae visited Bongha Village in Gyeongnam to pay respects at the burial site of former President Roh Moo-hyun.
The day before, Rep. Jo stated via SNS, "Seeing the mention of the former President's passing location during a recent parliamentary audit, I feel a heavy sense of responsibility as a politician."
This is interpreted as a remark in light of Representative Kim Tae-gyu of the same party mentioning "Owl Rock," the location where former President Roh passed away, during a parliamentary audit.
In a post titled "In Memory of the Late President Roh Moo-hyun" published on this day, Rep. Jo said, "It is time for all of us to reflect deeply on whether magnifying political differences and fueling conflict is for the national interest or for personal political gain."
He continued, "I wonder how much worry the President would feel if he were looking down at Korean politics from heaven, seeing a reality filled with hatred and curses toward one another," adding, "I stand here with a sense of shame and apology, offering an apology on behalf of the current reality of Korean politics."
He further stated, "I will inherit the spirit of grand coalition and cooperation left behind by the President," and "I will prioritize the interests of the people over partisan interests and practice politics of tolerance and cooperation beyond conflict and confrontation."
During the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee audit on the 6th, Rep. Kim Tae-gyu said, "Let's just create a 'truth about Owl Rock,'" and when Rep. Kim Yong-min of the Democratic Party and others protested, shouting matches broke out between the ruling and opposition parties as Rep. Kim asked, "Kim Yong-min, did Owl Rock scratch you?"
Meeting reporters at the National Assembly on this day, People Power Party Chief Spokesperson Park Choong-kwon commented on Rep. Jo's visit to the burial site, saying, "The party does not issue individual positions on the activities of individual lawmakers," adding, "I reiterate that Rep. Jo is a lawmaker who recently received heavy disciplinary action from the party's Central Ethics Committee. His party rights are currently suspended."
Rep. Jo was filed against for allegedly campaigning against candidate Park Deok-hum following his refusal to accept the results of an internal party primary during the election of the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly last August, resulting in a disciplinary action of a 2-year and 6-month suspension of party rights.