Kim Jin-tae: "Hwang Kyo-ahn's Acceptance of the Three Principles of Integration Is Unacceptable... Resignation Is Out of the Question"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] As the New Conservative Party demands the official acceptance of Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, of the 'Three Principles of Integration' as a precondition for unification, Kim Jin-tae, a key 'Pro-Park' member of the Liberty Korea Party, stated that these should not be accepted.

On the 10th, Kim appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and argued, "Clearly stating acceptance of the three principles of integration is not a precondition but essentially means agreeing to everything those people (New Conservative Party) want." Earlier, Ha Tae-kyung of the New Conservative Party declared that unless the three principles?crossing the river of impeachment, moving forward as reform conservatives, and building a new house?are accepted, they will not participate in the integration.

He pointed out, "The three principles are actually somewhat unclear. Leader Hwang seems to think, 'We cannot keep debating the pros and cons of impeachment until the general election, so let's cross the river of impeachment and think afterward,' but I don't think the New Conservative Party sees it that way. After crossing the river, they will come back saying, 'You must acknowledge the impeachment.' At that time, those who opposed impeachment will be told to admit their mistakes and, rather, to hand over their burdens."

Regarding the earlier cancellation of Hwang's press conference to announce acceptance of the three principles, he explained, "It is true that I called and stopped him," adding, "Leader Hwang is somewhat unfamiliar with political terminology. I told him that if he casually accepts 'crossing the river of impeachment,' it will cause serious repercussions later."

He firmly stated that Hwang should not resign from his leadership position as a condition for integration. Kim said, "I asked, 'Could our leader not be the leader in the new unified party?' but no one gave a proper answer or explanation. If someone in our party says, 'If we merge, (Leader Hwang) must step down from the leadership,' they would think, 'Is that so? That’s not right.'"

Kim emphasized, "Who would oppose 'unite and live, divide and die'? But if we blindly push for integration, we might get trapped in that integration framework, unable to handle the aftermath and later find ourselves in an inescapable predicament. We must carefully consider everything from the start."

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