Kim Young-woo "Integration Progress Slow... Possibility of Medium or Small-scale Integration Instead of Grand Integration"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Young-woo, a member of the Liberty Korea Party, raised the possibility of medium or small conservative unification, criticizing the slow pace of conservative integration.

On the 31st, Kim appeared on tbs radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' and, when asked by the host about the progress of integration, said, "There are talks that next week Hwang Kyo-ahn, the leader of the Korea Party, and Yoo Seung-min, the chairman of the Conservative Reconstruction Committee of the New Conservative Party, will meet, but the pace is very slow."

Kim said, "There should be a grand conservative unification, but it is more likely to be a medium or small conservative unification," adding, "People like former Governor Kim Moon-soo have started separate groups, and unfortunately, there isn't much time left." He explained, "It might be difficult for all parties to come together completely and form a new leadership through a new party convention, achieving a full-fledged new party formation. Of course, those in the Forward Party or the New Conservative Party might integrate by changing the party name, but a complete grand unification where everyone gathers seems difficult?that's the realistic analysis."

Regarding the possibility that only members of the New Conservative Party excluding Chairman Yoo might separate and integrate, he emphasized, "That possibility does not exist. It is hard to imagine a form where only incumbent lawmakers participate excluding Chairman Yoo." On the possibility of former Bareunmirae Party member Ahn Cheol-soo joining the Innovation Integration Promotion Committee, he said, "It seems Ahn has nowhere to go. Before returning to Korea, his behind-the-scenes talks and plans on which faction to align with politically seemed very weak."

Kim criticized, "New politics ultimately succeeds when done together with others. Ideals can be very high and good, but they are not grounded in reality. Honestly, I feel they are ultimately self-absorbed."

Regarding Leader Hwang's request for lawmakers who declared they would not run to transfer their party affiliation to the proportional representation party Future Korea Party, Kim responded, "I had a private meeting with Leader Hwang the day before yesterday, and there was no request to transfer to that party. I told him that the Future Korea Party should not become a subsidiary or a rubber-stamp party of the Korea Party. Rather, it should announce independent pledges and policies."

He added, "If the Future Korea Party is truly given the authority and responsibility to become a proper party, that might be different, but no one will just go there. Simply transferring party affiliation to become number 3 or 2 on the Future Korea Party list just to contribute to that is unlikely to attract many." He stressed that he does not want it to be a rubber-stamp role.

However, Kim added, "Still, the Future Korea Party itself is necessary, so there will be people who go. Leader Hwang and the leadership are desperate, so if they make such requests, there might be people who will go."

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