Saebosu Party, First Step Amid Mixed Expectations and Concerns... Two Paths: Independent Route vs Integration

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] The New Conservative Party was founded on the 5th, 100 days ahead of the general election. The new party, formed by eight incumbent lawmakers who left the Bareunmirae Party, is drawing political attention regarding what changes it will bring to the political landscape. There is both anticipation that it could be an alternative to the old conservative forces and concern that it will be difficult to contest the general election independently.

The New Conservative Party began its full-scale activities on the 6th with a visit to Daejeon National Cemetery. Following the establishment of a five-person co-leadership system composed of first- and second-term lawmakers the previous day, the party leadership was finalized on this day. Lawmaker Yoo Seung-min was appointed as the chairman of the Conservative Reconstruction Committee, Lawmaker Jung Byung-guk as the head of the Talent Recruitment Committee, Lawmaker Lee Hye-hoon as the head of the General Election Planning Team, and Lawmaker Yoo Ui-dong was assigned as the floor leader.

The New Conservative Party aims to be a youth party alongside reform conservatism. It also expressed the ambition to make young people in their 20s and 30s the party's solid support base. The mandatory participation of young men and women in the nomination management committee and the establishment of a 100% youth nomination monitoring committee are seen as moves to appeal to young voters.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, there are not many who believe that the New Conservative Party will achieve its goal of winning 80 to 150 seats in this year's general election. This is because it lacks a regional base and time is tight to overcome the organizational power of the two major parties. The fact that talks of integration arise immediately after the party's founding indicates that independent survival will not be easy. The New Conservative Party has also left the door open for integration discussions. Co-responsible leader Ha Tae-kyung said, "We will join forces with those who agree with Lawmaker Yoo Seung-min's three principles (▲Cross the river of impeachment ▲Build a new house ▲Move forward as reform conservatives)."

Immediate attention is focused on the possibility of integration with the main opposition party, the Liberty Korea Party. While both the Liberty Korea Party and the New Conservative Party agree that conservatives must unite, they show subtle differences in the scope, method, and leadership of the integration.

Liberty Korea Party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn announced on the same day that he would establish a Integration Promotion Committee to unite conservative forces. The intention is to unite under the umbrella of the Integration Promotion Committee without limiting the integration targets. This is interpreted as the Liberty Korea Party's intention to set the stage for integration and to include even those classified as far-right in the integration targets.

On the other hand, the New Conservative Party clearly states its break from the far-right conservatives. Leader Ha said, "There is winning integration and losing integration. Winning new integration is a centrist conservative integration based on Lawmaker Yoo's three principles, and losing integration is far-right conservative integration."

Ultimately, by the early February deadline set by the New Conservative Party for integration, various integration scenarios involving mergers and splits are expected to be discussed within the conservative camp, including the Liberty Korea Party and the New Conservative Party. If integration with the Liberty Korea Party fails, there is also a possibility of forming a centrist conservative big tent by embracing some like-minded lawmakers within the Liberty Korea Party and affiliated organizations.

On the 5th, at the New Conservative Party Central Party founding ceremony held at the National Assembly, Representatives Ha Tae-kyung, Yoo Ui-dong, Ji Sang-wook, Oh Shin-hwan, and Jung Woon-cheon, who were elected as co-representatives, joined hands and greeted party members. At the founding convention that day, the New Conservative Party officially elected the party leader and supreme council members, and adopted the party platform and party constitution. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

At the same time, the relationship with former lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, who is expected to return this month, could also influence the party's fate. If former lawmaker Ahn and additional Ahn Cheol-soo faction lawmakers are recruited, the party could broaden its centrist outreach.

Since the party's regional base is weak, it is predicted that approval ratings could have a significant impact on the party's survival. Leader Ha also said on the radio that day, "If we secure the support base of young centrists and surpass the 10% approval rating, the Liberty Korea Party will have no choice but to close its doors," adding, "The Liberty Korea Party will be reduced to about 30 to 40 seats in the general election."

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