Park Hyung-jun "The Integration Train Has Already Departed... Those Who Get Off Will Suffer"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Park Hyung-joon, chairman of the Innovation and Integration Promotion Committee (IIPC) leading the centrist-conservative integration discussions, said, "The integration train has already departed," adding, "Those who get off will suffer damage."

On the 20th, Chairman Park appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and was asked if there were any disagreements with the New Conservative Party. He replied, "There are no major disagreements. Since the integration train has already departed, those who get off the train will be seriously harmed."

With the New Conservative Party declaring party-to-party integration with the Liberty Korea Party, this statement is interpreted as a kind of warning not to defect from the integration front. Regarding this, Chairman Park explained, "It is not a warning but an expression of the will to integrate."

Former People's Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo, who returned to Korea the day before, drew a line saying he is not interested in conservative integration, but Chairman Park extended a love call, saying, "There is room for integration." He said, "It was expected, and I did not expect him to actively participate in integration from the beginning. However, judging from his message upon returning yesterday, there is almost no difference between the values and policy directions proposed by the integrated new party and his views, so I think there is no fundamental difference in diagnosing the situation of the Republic of Korea and working together."

Chairman Park emphasized, "During the past 1 year and 4 months that former leader Ahn has been away, the Republic of Korea has become too precarious, so the situation is too serious to slowly experiment with new politics. In such cases, an extreme decision is needed. It reminds me of the decision YS made 30 years ago when he led the three-party integration. Through such decisions, it is necessary to revive one's political potential and also meet the expectations of many citizens who desire regime judgment."

Regarding the appointment of Kim Hyung-o as the Liberty Korea Party's nomination committee chairman, he positively evaluated it, saying, "It is a very good thing. Chairman Kim is quite close to the New Conservative Party and, overall, regardless of the Liberty Korea Party, the New Conservative Party, or other centrist forces, he has a very strong will for innovation and will likely carry out the nominations with full authority."

Regarding Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) senior lawmaker Jeong Jong-seop of the Liberty Korea Party, who declared he would not run and expressed opposition to integration the day before, he said, "Taking responsibility and stepping down over the nomination dispute at that time is a meaningful political act. As for integration, since the three principles or six principles have already been established and the process has started, there may be criticism and dissatisfaction, but the big integration train has already departed."

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