"To Complete Integration Before Lunar New Year"... United Conservative Figures Join Hands at Conservative Group Event

Conservative figures holding hands. From the left, Gap-san Lee, representative of Beomsa-ryeon; Eon-ju Lee, independent lawmaker; Un-cheon Jeong, co-representative of the New Conservative Party; and Kyung-tae Jo, Supreme Council member of the Liberty Korea Party.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] "Without hesitation, we will push forward with the Unified Promotion Committee (Tongchuwi) before the Lunar New Year and create an outline for the committee."

Cho Kyung-tae, Supreme Council Member of the Liberty Korea Party, Jung Woon-cheon, Co-Leader of the New Conservative Party, independent lawmaker Lee Eon-ju preparing the new party 'Forward to the Future 4.0,' and former Liberty Korea Party leader Kim Moo-sung joined hands on the 7th, calling for "unification." They agreed on the necessity of unifying the broad conservative forces to win the general election by capturing public sentiment and emphasized the importance of integration.

◆ Liberty Korea Party extends hand saying "We will relinquish nomination rights" = Supreme Council Member Cho attended the New Year's meeting of the Pan-Civil Society Coalition (Bumsaryeon) held at the Press Center and said, "The urgency of the conservative right wing is somewhat lacking. The Liberty Korea Party is already prepared to let go and has the resolve," expressing this stance. Bumsaryeon is a conservative-leaning pan-social organization formed in 2012 by 300 civil society groups aiming to lead national unity through civil society movements under the banner of liberal democracy.

He said, "I also advised Party Leader Hwang Kyo-ahn that 'You should not exercise nomination rights. They should be returned to the people,'" and emphasized, "To win this general election, we must relinquish everything. The Liberty Korea Party is ready for that." Regarding unification, he indicated willingness to give up some vested interests in response to external calls for the party to relinquish its privileges.

He particularly stressed the need to complete the unification process before the Lunar New Year holiday, which could be a turning point in public opinion. He warned, "Some conservative factions say, 'Can’t we wait until February?' But the later we delay, the harder it becomes," adding, "If the metropolitan area is not unified, defeat is certain."

He also addressed Co-Leader Jung, who attended the event, saying, "You must participate. I will not claim vested rights in the Tongchuwi. We should attend in equal numbers without distinguishing ranks and unite as one," asking, "Do you agree?" Co-Leader Jung responded with applause.

Former leader Kim also raised his voice criticizing the administration, saying, "Monopoly of power leads to dictatorship politics. President Moon Jae-in is conducting leftist dictatorship," and emphasized the need for conservative unification.

He stressed, "There are many ways to unify. Current political leaders just need to empty their minds and relinquish vested interests. Even a few hours of discussion can produce a method for unification," adding, "Nomination rights should be held by the people, not party power holders, through a bottom-up nomination process. There is also a way to achieve generational change."

On the 7th, at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, participants including Lee Gap-san, the standing representative, Kim Moo-sung, Cho Kyung-tae of the Liberty Korea Party, and Lee Eon-ju, an independent lawmaker, are taking a commemorative photo at the '2020 Civil Society New Year's Meeting' hosted by the Pan-Civil Society Coalition. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

◆ Jung Woon-cheon and Lee Eon-ju respond... "Unification before Lunar New Year" = Co-Leader Jung said, "(The passage of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials Act on) December 30 was the day the political playing field in South Korea tilted," and agreed on the need for unification, saying, "If the scattered conservative forces do not unify to become the first or majority party in the general election, the same thing will happen again."

He judged that "Creating a new wave in conservative unification and making new history is a historic mission," and emphasized, "I will listen carefully to others’ opinions and open what the New Conservative Party has closed."

He also asked the Liberty Korea Party again if they had "emptied everything," meaning if they were willing to relinquish vested interests. Supreme Council Member Cho responded loudly, "Yes." Co-Leader Jung said, "If emptied, I am confident (in innovation)."

Independent lawmaker Lee, preparing the new party Forward 4.0, criticized, "The current ruling power is not simply left-wing but a predatory regime sucking public funds and the public sector," and said, "Through victory in the general election, we must show not only the conservative camp but also the people who desire change that South Korea still has hope."

He emphasized that to be chosen by the people, thorough reflection on the past, determination for innovation, and large-scale generational change are necessary, and said, "(Since we are not forming a party) we have no vested interests to relinquish in front of the momentum for conservative unification and the cause, but we boldly advocate generational change."

Lee said, "Last week, I also met with Leader Hwang and talked. He earnestly said, 'I hope you will make a decisive union for unification. I hope you respond positively,'" and added, "I decided to trust his sincerity and asked him to pursue politics that can empower innovation, generational change, and young people." He continued, "I believe the conditions will naturally be created for us to actively participate," and added, "Without hesitation, we will push forward with the Tongchuwi before the Lunar New Year and create an outline for the committee."

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