Yoo Seung-min and 7 Others Leave Bareunmirae Party "Will Embark on Path of Reform Conservatism to Rebuild Collapsed Conservatism"

On the 3rd, non-mainstream members of the Bareunmirae Party, including Representative Yoo Seung-min, held a press conference at the National Assembly to announce their resignation from the party. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Eight lawmakers from the Bareun Party, including Yoo Seung-min, collectively left the Bareunmirae Party on the 3rd to establish the New Conservative Party.

On the same day, eight lawmakers?Jung Byung-guk, Yoo Seung-min, Lee Hye-hoon, Oh Shin-hwan, Yoo Ui-dong, Ha Tae-kyung, Jung Woon-cheon, and Ji Sang-wook?held a press conference at the National Assembly and announced, "Today, we are leaving the Bareunmirae Party." Former Supreme Council members Kwon Eun-hee and Lee Jun-seok, as well as former lawmakers Jin Soo-hee, Koo Sang-chan, Kim Hee-guk, Lee Jong-hoon, Jung Moon-heon, Shin Sung-bum, Yoon Sang-il, Kim Sung-dong, and Min Hyun-joo also resigned together.

In their statement, they said, "Two years ago, reformist conservatives and rational centrists joined forces to promise politics for the country's future by founding the Bareunmirae Party, but we failed to win the hearts of the people. We will not blame anyone for the two years of failure. We acknowledge our own shortcomings."

They added, "Since leaving the Saenuri Party three years ago until today, we have walked a thorny path of trials. However, the more difficulties we faced in harsh real-world politics, the stronger our determination and will for reform conservative politics became. The time of trials was a valuable period of reflection. We vow to uphold the fundamental reason why we engage in politics."

They promised to pursue politics that will create ▲a country where human dignity and value are alive ▲a country where constitutional values of justice, fairness, freedom, and equality are upheld ▲a country where the economy and population grow again ▲a country with strong security where no one can infringe upon our sovereignty.

They emphasized, "We will not abandon our intentions and values blinded by immediate gains. Although our numbers are small and our power is weak, we will fundamentally rebuild the fallen conservative base. We will become a new reform conservative force that properly checks and replaces the Moon Jae-in administration."

They will officially launch the New Conservative Party on the 5th and begin full-scale activities.

After the press conference, Representative Yoo told reporters regarding his relationship with former lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, "I welcome his return to politics. Since he is returning to politics, I hope he does well. What I am curious about is whether he still agrees with the spirit of reformist conservatism and rational centrism joining forces, which we promised here two years ago."

However, regarding the Ahn Cheol-soo faction lawmakers who participated in the Emergency Action for Change and Innovation (Byunhyeok) within the Bareunmirae Party, he said, "We have been suggesting working together with the New Conservative Party and will continue to propose this. Some have a high possibility of joining, others do not, but since we worked together in Byunhyeok, we ask that they still consider it an important option," leaving the door open.

Regarding the possibility of Representative Kwon Eun-hee, who is listed as a founding member, joining, he said, "If she joins us, it will be a great strength for us. I hope we can work together someday."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.