South Korea is once again bracing for a significant political shakeup. Former justice minister Cho Kuk is apparently feeling out the prospect of running for parliament in next year’s national elections, sending ripples across the political landscape, particularly within the ranks of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP).

The potential implications of his prospective candidacy on South Korea’s political dynamics are sparking significant debate. Cho is a well-known but divisive public figure, serving as the senior secretary to the president for civil affairs and briefly as justice minister in the Moon administration before he was forced to resign over allegations of abuse of power.