Sim Jae-cheol "Ahn Cheol-soo, Kim Moon-soo, Jeon Kwang-hoon Cannot Survive with Independent Paths"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Sim Jae-cheol, floor leader of the Liberty Korea Party, urged former lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, former Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo, and Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, who are pushing for the establishment of a new party, to join the integration, saying, "Even if they survive, they will only be able to exist as a very small minor party."

Sim, who held a floor strategy meeting at the National Assembly on the morning of the 31st, said, "The political reality is clear that no one can survive with an independent path." He warned, "If that happens, the reasons for the existence of Ahn Cheol-soo, Kim Moon-soo, and Jeon Kwang-hoon will disappear in the future."

Sim said, "Ahn Cheol-soo's three attempts at founding a party and two withdrawals confirm the limits of 'Ahn Cheol-soo politics.' The Ahn Cheol-soo phenomenon that appeared when he first entered politics has long since disappeared," adding, "While Kim Moon-soo and Jeon Kwang-hoon have made valuable contributions by rallying public anger in the streets, believing that creating a new party to amplify the cheers in Gwanghwamun will easily work in the election arena is a misjudgment."

He emphasized, "It could hinder the consolidation of the free right-wing forces that judge the Moon Jae-in administration and may even weaken the general election results," adding, "For themselves and for the future of Korean politics, joining the integration train is the right answer." He continued, "There is no realistic alternative to integration. The fragmented anti-Moon (anti-Moon Jae-in) coalition is insufficient," and said, "We must stop focusing on small differences and board the integration train together to survive; only then can we plan for the future. That is the harsh reality of politics."

Regarding the Innovation and Integration Promotion Committee (Hyuktongwi) holding its first public report meeting and announcing the outline of the party formation on the same day, Sim said, "The goal is to judge the Moon Jae-in administration," and stressed, "We must overcome small differences and integrate on a large scale to stop the Moon administration's tyranny." He added, "During the integration process, selfishness to secure one's own share should not delay the integration train. If you try to take one more piece of the pie and lose the general election, it will all be for nothing." This was interpreted as a message directed at the New Conservative Party, which has not clearly stated its position on participating in Hyuktongwi.

Sim also criticized the government's response to the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), saying, "The fact that there are secondary infections means the government's quarantine and inspection are lax, yet the government is still floundering," and "Although they said they would dispatch four chartered planes to evacuate Wuhan residents, China only allowed one. This confirms the Moon administration's poor diplomatic skills."

He said, "The Moon administration has always fawned on China, but in urgent times, it has been pitifully unable to receive any help from Chinese authorities," and sharply criticized, "The Democratic Party of Korea also does not reflect on the government's incompetence and laxity but only blames others."

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