Park Hyung-jun: "Hyuktongwi Will Continue Discussion Activities... Time Is Running Out"

Participation of Gwanghwamun Faction and Voices Warning Against 'Road Saenuri Party'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Park Hyung-jun, chairman of the Innovation and Integration Promotion Committee (IIPC) pushing for centrist-conservative integration, stated regarding the formation of a two-party consultative body between the Liberty Korea Party and the New Conservative Party, "The IIPC will continue its discussion activities."

Chairman Park made this remark during his opening speech at the 6th IIPC meeting held on the 21st at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, saying, "The IIPC will proceed on its own course."

He added, "We will ensure that the IIPC can actively operate during the remaining period," and said, "Since there is not much time left for the IIPC to be active, from now on, based on the big picture discussed so far, we will make more practical efforts to unite a broad range of forces."

Earlier that morning, Chairman Park visited Jeju Provincial Office and met with Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong to request his joining the IIPC. Park said, "I met Governor Won with the intention that the IIPC needs to unite broad conservative and progressive forces and figures," adding, "I look forward to Governor Won's response."

Representative Yoo Ui-dong, who participated in place of resigned New Conservative Party lawmaker Jang Sang-wook, said, "I highly appreciate the positive energy gathering for conservative integration from the beginning of the new year," and added, "Every step we take toward conservative integration must be a step of selflessness for desirable conservative integration to be completed." New Conservative Party lawmaker Jung Woon-cheon also said, "The conservative integration train, which had been running precariously, has now gotten on the main track," and stated, "The IIPC will lead the way as a platform for expansive integration and innovative conservative grand integration."

Liberty Korea Party lawmaker Kim Sang-hoon said, "The Liberty Korea Party believes there is no doubt that the IIPC is a platform for integrating civil society and organizations, but since integration with the New Conservative Party is also part of the integration process, we accepted the request for a consultative body," and requested, "Please understand this as a process toward a grand integration."

However, voices expressing concern about the two-party consultative body being a 'return to the Saenuri Party' also emerged. Jung Kyung-mo, vice chairman of the Preparatory Committee for the People's Voice Party, emphasized, "Integration between the two parties is necessary but is only a necessary condition, not a sufficient one," and warned, "We must never forget that if we do not join with new citizens resisting the injustice of the Moon administration, it will be a return to the Saenuri Party."

Professor Kim Geun-sik of Gyeongnam University, classified as part of the Ahn Cheol-soo faction, said, "I highly appreciate the Liberty Korea Party's acceptance of the consultative body request and the New Conservative Party's acceptance of confidential proceedings on a grand scale," and added, "The two consultative bodies should create synergy effects through role-sharing."

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