![\"](\"https:\/\/contents-cdn.viewus.co.kr\/image\/2026\/04\/CP-2023-0087\/image-1b3d0c63-c23d-401e-a823-aeef618bcec2.jpeg\")
He said, \u201cI filed the appeal on the 6th, the case was assigned on the 8th, and I submitted the appeal brief on the 9th,\u201d and added, \u201cThe appeals court can decide based on the record alone, so a quick ruling is possible.\u201d The case is currently under review at the Seoul High Court.<\/p>\n
On the question of running as an independent, he said his advisers are divided and he is taking a cautious approach.<\/p>\n
He explained that some counsel him to remain in the party and help manage the aftermath after the election, while others argue the current primary system leaves no path to victory and that he should run independently.<\/p>\n
Criticizing the current primary lineup, Joo said, \u201cEven if one of the six becomes the nominee, widening gaps in polling leave us with no answer,\u201d and he stressed, \u201cWe need conservative consolidation before the final vote.\u201d<\/p>\n
He singled out former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum as \u201ca figure with demonstrated vote-getting ability and experience as a minister and prime minister,\u201d adding, \u201cUnder the current circumstances, Kim\u2019s camp must be quietly pleased.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joo warned, \u201cThis is no longer a \u2018give them another chance\u2019 situation in Daegu \u2014 the same pattern has been repeated many times. If we don\u2019t change this structure now, it will repeat again in the general election.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also renewed his criticism of Chairman Jang Dong-hyuk.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven as support collapses, the only refrain is \u2018let\u2019s unite,\u2019\u201d he said, sharply criticizing the response as \u201clike steering toward a cliff or ordering people to stay on a sinking ship.\u201d He urged that the leadership should form an emergency committee or recruit an innovative campaign chair and then step down.<\/p>\n
Joo characterized the crisis as structural rather than personal.<\/p>\n
\u201cFactional fights recur every time nominations are decided,\u201d he said, \u201cand we are seeking a court ruling to establish a fair and democratic nomination system.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the possibility that former Chair Lee Jin-sook might run as an independent, he reiterated the need for unity, saying, \u201cWe must prevent a split that would hand an advantage to the Democratic Party.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joo warned, \u201cSome supporters may be so disillusioned that they stay home on election day, and that is the biggest variable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Deputy Speaker Joo\u2019s remarks can be read as a political pressure play that ties the appeals outcome to calls for conservative unity and demands for leadership change.<\/p>\n
The Daegu mayoral race is rapidly reshaping into a complex contest driven by the court\u2019s decision, internal party power shifts, and whether the conservative camp can regroup.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
After being excluded from the Daegu mayoral nomination, Joo Ho-young criticizes party leadership and calls for conservative unity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/contents-cdn.viewus.co.kr\/image\/2026\/04\/CP-2023-0087\/image-1b3d0c63-c23d-401e-a823-aeef618bcec2.jpeg","footnotes":""},"categories":[278093],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-256524","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics"],"yoast_head":"\n