Saebosu Party Absent from Reform Committee Meeting... Final Ultimatum of 'Major Decision' to Korean Party (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The New Conservative Party has pressured the Liberty Korea Party to form a party-to-party consultative body, stating that it "can make a momentous decision." On the same day, two lawmakers from the New Conservative Party withdrew from the Innovation and Integration Promotion Committee (Innovation Committee). The Innovation Committee pressured the New Conservative Party to participate in the integration instead of forming a consultative body, urging behind-the-scenes negotiations. Although the Innovation Committee has barely taken its first steps, the discord surrounding the integration is growing day by day.

Ha Tae-kyung, co-representative of the New Conservative Party, said in his opening remarks at the 6th meeting of the New Conservative Party leadership held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 17th, "The Liberty Korea Party only talks about integration but acts against it. Refusing the essential two-party integration consultative body while calling for integration means they do not intend to do it," pressuring Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, to accept the party-to-party consultative body.

He pointed out, "The Liberty Korea Party is admitting that it is a fake integration force. They want to get married but refuse the formal meeting of both families and only want to exchange pleasantries among relatives," adding, "The last of the three principles for conservative reconstruction is 'tear down the old house and build a new one.' To build a new house, we proposed a two-party consultative body for conservative reconstruction and innovation integration, but the Liberty Korea Party is only pretending to integrate."

He said, "If Leader Hwang sincerely wants integration, he should promptly respond that he will form a two-party consultative body with the New Conservative Party to build a new house together," adding, "If not, the New Conservative Party will designate the Liberty Korea Party as an anti-integration force, and depending on Leader Hwang's response, we may also make a momentous decision." Regarding Kim Hyung-o, former Speaker of the National Assembly and newly appointed chair of the Liberty Korea Party's Public Official Recommendation Committee, he said, "I do not think he is someone who opposes innovation integration or would be a burden," and left open the possibility of the New Conservative Party's involvement in the committee's formation by saying, "We will see what position (Leader Hwang) expresses."

Co-representative Oh Shin-hwan also said, "We must choose whether to integrate with the New Conservative Party or with Our Republican Party," adding, "If you intend to cross the river of impeachment, the answer is clear. Change and innovation are not done by holding a rice cake in each hand." Oh said, "Even if I cut my flesh and scrape my bones, it will not be enough, and the general election will be in vain," pressuring, "It is a matter of decision. There is not much time left until the general election."

On the same day, lawmakers Ji Sang-wook and Jung Woon-cheon, representing the New Conservative Party, did not attend the 4th meeting of the Innovation Committee. Park Hyung-joon, chair of the Innovation Committee, explained, "Lawmaker Jung Woon-cheon was absent due to a five-party election debate broadcast, and Lawmaker Ji Sang-wook was absent due to health reasons," adding, "Leader Ha conveyed that the New Conservative Party is not refusing to participate." Lawmaker Ji had also been absent the previous day due to health issues.

Chairman Park explained regarding Lawmaker Ji's demand for his resignation the day before, "Personally, I would not only resign if integration is achieved but also be willing to go to prison. I have no intention to favor anyone or seek glory," and added, "This position was created with the hope of achieving broad conservative integration, and gaining symbolic significance for that integration is the purpose of the Innovation Committee's activities."

Kim Sang-hoon, a lawmaker representing the Liberty Korea Party, maintained the existing "behind-the-scenes contact" stance regarding the New Conservative Party's demand. He said, "We did not oppose the formation of the New Conservative Party's consultative body, but basic discussions related to integration should be centered on the Innovation Committee, and detailed discussions between parties should be narrowed through behind-the-scenes contacts as now," adding, "If inter-party discussions are actively progressing and have reached a stage where a conclusion can be drawn, it would be good to promote (the consultative body)."

Professor Kim Geun-sik of Gyeongnam National University, classified as part of the Ahn Cheol-soo faction, criticized the New Conservative Party's move, saying, "We have struggled to create the Innovation Committee to build a bigger opposition party, but the day after its launch, they want to reserve two rooms first," adding, "The very appearance of fighting for leadership is pouring cold water on the public's expectations."

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