Will Hwang Kyo-ahn Overcome TK and Pro-Park Resistance to Launch the 'Unification Train'?

Sae Bosu Party's 'Let's Build a New House' Demand Sparks Factional Strife
Conflicting 'Unification Voices' Within the Party Must Be Resolved... Leadership Put to the Test

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, is attending the '2020 New Member Welcome Ceremony' held at the National Assembly on the 8th and delivering a greeting./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Discussions on conservative unification, which seemed to be getting back on track, have temporarily stalled. Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party who has actively emphasized conservative unification, hopes to merge with the New Conservative Party, the second conservative party, but has avoided commenting on whether to accept the 'Three Principles for Conservative Reconstruction' proposed by Representative Yoo Seung-min. There were rumors of a press conference to accept the principles ▲Cross the river of impeachment ▲Move forward as reform conservatives ▲Build a new house, but it seems to have ended as a mere incident.

Inside and outside the party, there are opinions that calming internal opposition is the most important factor to successfully achieve conservative unification. This is because, just as it is necessary to find common ground among conservative forces with slightly different positions, there are differing views within the party camps on the method of conservative unification. While metropolitan area and non-Park faction (non-Park Geun-hye) lawmakers are desperate for unification with the New Conservative Party, Daegu/Gyeongbuk (TK) and pro-Park (pro-Park Geun-hye) faction lawmakers stand on the opposite side.

In particular, TK and pro-Park faction lawmakers have shown negative reactions to the 'Build a new house' principle among Yoo’s three principles for conservative reconstruction. This is ultimately linked to the form of unification. There are concerns about dissolving the party and founding a new party, as well as about sharing equal stakes in a unified emergency committee (unification emergency committee) or a co-representative system.

An influential lawmaker from the Yeongnam region, who requested anonymity, said, "If (the New Conservative Party’s demand) is the dissolution of the Liberty Korea Party, it is practically impossible," and added, "We must recognize the realistic power difference and proceed with an absorption-type unification." He continued, "While conservative division is also negative for the general election, the biggest challenge to overcome is the criticism that the Liberty Korea Party has not adequately responded to the mistakes of the Moon Jae-in administration," emphasizing, "If the magnet (Liberty Korea Party) becomes stronger, unification will naturally follow."

Former Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo, a hardline conservative, publicly opposed by saying, "Why do you want to tear down the Liberty Korea Party again and found a new party? Why do you keep shaking it?"

Conversely, lawmakers emphasizing conservative unification are opposing this trend. Yoon Sang-hyun, a pro-Park faction member who has emphasized conservative unification, said on Facebook, "Who is making Leader Hwang’s message inconsistent?" and added, "If anyone opposes unification, come forward and speak openly."

Gathering the conflicting voices within the party is directly linked to Leader Hwang’s leadership. He is now on the test bench to persuade the opposition and concerns of his support base within the pro-Park and TK factions while accelerating unification. A party official said, "Those opposing unification with the New Conservative Party have almost disappeared, but there is a difference in thinking about whether to share equal stakes and make changes at the level of re-founding the party or for the Liberty Korea Party to take the lead," adding, "This is an issue that requires Leader Hwang’s decision."

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