Ex-Minister Cho Kuk's political future uncertain after failed parliamentary comeback
Leader's defeat leaves minor party with little leverage in potential merger talks with DPK, analysts say
Cho Kuk, leader of the minor progressive Rebuilding Korea Party, speaks to reporters at his campaign office in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, early Thursday after conceding defeat in the parliamentary by-election for the Pyeongtaek-B constituency. Yonhap
Cho Kuk, leader of the minor liberal Rebuilding Korea Party (RKP), failed in his bid to return to parliament in the by-election held alongside Wednesday's local elections, dealing a heavy blow to his political career.
According to the National Election Commission Thursday, main opposition People Power Party (PPP) candidate Yoo Ui-dong won the by-election for the Pyeongtaek-B constituency in Gyeonggi Province with 34.83 percent of the vote.
Ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) candidate Kim Yong-nam came in second with 28.77 percent, while Cho came third with 27.24 percent.
Cho conceded defeat at his campaign office around 3 a.m. after Yoo's victory became certain.
"The top priority of this election was to realize a 'zero PPP' outcome. While meaningful progress was made nationwide, we failed to fulfill that mandate in Pyeongtaek. The responsibility lies entirely with me," Cho told reporters.
The defeat marked a setback in Cho's attempt to revive his political career after a jail term over a corruption scandal cost him his parliamentary seat in December 2024.
Political analysts said Cho's third-place finish behind both the PPP and DPK candidates could weaken his standing. During the campaign, the RKP party leader sought to position himself as a leading figure in the liberal bloc. Yet he ultimately finished behind the DPK candidate, a former conservative politician who joined the ruling party in 2025.
Observers speculated that Cho's negative campaigning against Kim may have undermined his appeal among liberal voters.
Yoo Ui-dong, the People Power Party candidate in the parliamentary by-election for the Pyeongtaek-B constituency, celebrates at his campaign office in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday, after his victory became certain. Joint Press Corps
The defeat is also expected to have broader implications for the RKP.
Earlier this year, the DPK discussed a possible merger with the minor party, but talks stalled amid divisions within the ruling party. The two sides agreed to continue discussions after the local elections.
Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University, said Cho's defeat has left the minor party with diminished leverage in any future merger talks with the DPK.
"The RKP is essentially centered on Cho," Shin said. "With his defeat, the party is likely to suffer a major political setback. Any future deal between the two parties is likely to resemble an absorption rather than an official merger."
Some observers say the DPK may now have little incentive to actively pursue a merger following Cho's defeat, a scenario that could deal a blow to the minor party's prospects as an independent political force.
Cho entered the National Assembly as a proportional representative in the 2024 general elections, but lost his seat later that year after the Supreme Court upheld a two-year prison sentence on charges that included academic fraud involving his children.
He returned to lead the party in August 2025, days after being released from prison under a presidential pardon.
Cho rose to prominence under former President Moon Jae-in, serving as a senior presidential aide before being appointed justice minister in 2019. He resigned weeks after taking office due to the allegations surrounding his family.