Jokuk, the leader of the Innovation Party, expressed his strong disapproval of the Democratic Party's conduct during a recent press conference marking the second anniversary of his party's founding. He highlighted that the foundation of any collaboration hinges on mutual respect, emphasizing that if the Democratic Party continues to launch lowly attacks, then effective coalition-building will be jeopardized. His remarks came in response to comments from Democratic Party Chairman Lee Cheong-rae, who promoted the idea of a ‘winning coalition.’ While Jokuk agreed with the sentiment, he was quick to point out that the backlash he and his party faced following a recent proposal for merger illustrated the toxicity of current political discourse.

In a pointed critique, Jokuk also addressed disparaging comments made by former Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil, who suggested that the Innovation Party should focus on regions beyond Honam, referring to its candidates as mere opportunists. This characterization drew Jokuk's ire, as he asserted that his party's candidates are of far superior caliber compared to those historically aligned with hard-right figures in previous elections. He called for an end to the 'insults and derogations' that have characterized political exchanges, advocating for mutual recognition among parties.

Moreover, Jokuk made a case for electoral reform before the upcoming 6·3 local elections, stating that the creation of a new joint special city for Jeonnam and Gwangju must not replicate existing electoral structures that could lead to unconstitutional disparities in representation. By raising this issue, he underscored the importance of addressing electoral fairness to avoid significant demographic imbalances in local governance, which is essential for ensuring a representative and functional political landscape.