New Conservative Party's 'Final Ultimatum' Finally Accepted... Korean Party "Hwang Kyo-ahn Agrees to Bipartisan Consultative Body"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Liberty Korea Party accepted the demand for a bilateral consultative body following the New Conservative Party's "final ultimatum" to take an independent course if the consultative body was not accepted. The plan is to operate a 'two-track' system with the Innovation and Integration Promotion Committee (IIPC) as a 1:1 channel. They also announced that they have opened a dialogue channel with anti-impeachment forces such as the Our Republican Party.

Park Wan-soo, Secretary-General of the Liberty Korea Party, said at a press conference at the National Assembly on the 20th, "The Liberty Korea Party also agrees on the need for a bilateral consultative body," expressing this view.

Secretary-General Park said, "We will thoroughly coordinate internally regarding the timing of the formation of the consultative body and whether the meetings will be public or private," adding, "Kim Sang-hoon and Lee Yang-su, who are also participating in the IIPC, will take part in the IIPC, and if the consultation with the New Conservative Party is to be conducted bilaterally, one of the two will represent and lead the consultation with the New Conservative Party."

In response to questions from reporters that followed, Representative Kim said, "Representative Hwang Kyo-ahn judged that joint efforts to remove various obstacles on the path to integration are necessary, and thus accepted the bilateral consultative body proposed by the New Conservative Party," adding, "However, the timing and content have not yet been finalized, and various practical discussions are underway."

He added, "There were concerns about the bilateral consultation within the IIPC, but Chairman Park Hyung-joon of the IIPC readily understood this matter," and "Basic integration discussions will be held within the IIPC, while practical discussions will be delegated to the Liberty Korea Party and the New Conservative Party."

Regarding concerns that the scope of issues discussed within the IIPC might narrow due to the opening of a 1:1 discussion channel, he said, "This was also discussed with Chairman Park. Since the IIPC includes civic groups and other parties, it is appropriate for the IIPC to serve as a platform for basic discussions," but added, "However, the New Conservative Party proposed the need for detailed consultations with the Liberty Korea Party, and we agree with that intention and will narrow the gaps for integration through future practical consultations."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Secretary-General Park also said, "The IIPC is for the integration of the entire conservative bloc, while party-to-party individual consultations will be conducted in a two-track manner by opening separate channels like the New Conservative Party," adding, "The doors are also open for individual discussions with parties like the Future Forward Party or Our Republican Party."

Previously, the New Conservative Party criticized the integration talks with the Our Republican Party. On the 15th, New Conservative Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min said at a New Conservative Party leadership meeting, "If we integrate with Our Republican Party as well, will the public think we have built a 'new house'?" However, Secretary-General Park stated, "Discussions and consultations are also necessary on that matter," indicating no change in the existing position.

Regarding candidate nomination discussions, he said, "Discussions between the two parties will be held to some extent," but refrained from elaborating, saying, "Discussions have not yet taken place." When asked if a 1+1 discussion between parties would be possible if former People's Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo, who arrived in Korea the day before, participates, he expressed a positive stance, saying, "If former leader Ahn participates, overall discussions can be held within the IIPC, and opening individual channels is also possible."

He also expressed the intention to continue behind-the-scenes negotiations even if the consultative body is activated. Representative Lee said, "Various channels and windows for behind-the-scenes negotiations have been operating and will continue to do so," adding, "However, since the New Conservative Party requested something official, we are announcing it through this occasion."

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