Son Hak-kyu, Chung Dong-young, and Yoo Sung-yeop Gathered in One Place... Opening the Way for Third-Party Integration

Jo Bae-suk "Sufficient Justification for Integration"
Yoo Seong-yeop "Need to Seek Integration Among Parties"
Ahn Cheol-soo Visits 'Kyungsilyeon·Startup Academy'

Yuseong Yeop, Chairman of the Alternative New Party Integration Promotion Committee (from left), Jo Baesuk, Floor Leader of the Democratic Peace Party, Sohn Hakgyu, Leader of the Bareunmirae Party, and Jeong Dongyoung, Leader of the Democratic Peace Party, are attending the "Emergency Forum to Reform the Election System and Major Transformation of Korean Politics, Eradicating Trick Parties Undermining the Mixed-Member Proportional Representation Election System" held at the National Assembly on the 22nd. Photo by Yoon Dongju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the 22nd, Sohn Hak-kyu, leader of the Bareunmirae Party advocating for the third political zone, Jeong Dong-young, leader of the Democratic Peace Party, and Yoo Seong-yeop, chairman of the Alternative New Party Integration Promotion Committee, gathered in one place. Although they ostensibly attended a debate criticizing satellite parties for proportional representation, political circles focused on discussions regarding the integration of the third political zone.

Leader Sohn and Chairman Yoo delivered congratulatory remarks at the emergency debate hosted by the Peace Party titled "Eradicating Trick Satellite Parties Undermining the Mixed-Member Proportional Representation System," held in the National Assembly Members' Office Building that morning. Their meeting attracted attention because they are key figures seeking integration of the third political zone. Initially, Kim Jong-in, former emergency committee chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, was also scheduled to attend the debate but was absent due to scheduling conflicts.

Jo Bae-sook, floor leader of the Peace Party, stated, "Some say there is no justification for the third zone to integrate, but there is ample justification. Rather, there is no reason for them to remain scattered," emphasizing, "I hope this debate serves as an opportunity for the centrist reform forces to unite for the future of the Republic of Korea and overcome the general and presidential elections."

Leader Sohn said, "I thank Leader Jeong for preparing a good debate, Chairman Yoo also came, and many members of the Bareunmirae Party attended," adding, "The debate should not just end successfully. Satellite parties and trick parties must be stopped at all costs."

Chairman Yoo said, "The goal and outcome of the debate should be to explore integration or political realignment among existing parties that can proceed with an appropriate mixed-member proportional representation system."

Meanwhile, former leader Ahn is currently continuing his independent course after returning to Korea. On the morning of the same day, former leader Ahn visited the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice to discuss the soaring real estate prices and the government's deteriorating fiscal soundness. In the afternoon, he plans to visit the Startup Academy located in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, to hold a meeting with young entrepreneurs and examine the problems of Korea's startup system.

Former leader Ahn met with Ahn Cheol-soo faction lawmakers the previous day to share opinions on future political moves such as remodeling the Bareunmirae Party and founding a new party. This was the first time they gathered since former leader Ahn returned on the 19th. He is also scheduled to meet soon with Leader Sohn and other Bareunmirae Party lawmakers.

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