[Exclusive] '3+1' Regroups: Behind-the-Scenes Efforts for a Progressive Opposition Alliance Against the Ahn Cheolsoo New Party

Chung Dongyoung Draws Line Against Ahn Cheolsoo's 'Anti-Moon Alliance'
Meets with Sohn Hakkyu and Sim Sangjung in Succession
Election Alliance Talks Among Bareunmirae Party, Justice Party, Democratic Peace Party, and Alternative New Party

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy, reporters Won Dara and Lim Chunhan] The '3+1' coalition (Bareunmirae Party, Justice Party, Democratic Peace Party, plus the Alternative New Party) is seeking to form a progressive opposition alliance ahead of the general election. These parties, together with the Democratic Party of Korea during the previous fast-track session, succeeded in passing electoral reform and the establishment law for the High-Ranking Officials’ Corruption Investigation Agency. They are also drawing a clear line from the so-called 'anti-Moon (anti-Moon Jaein) alliance' that is forming around former Bareunmirae Party lawmaker Ahn Cheolsoo.

According to political sources on February 4, Chung Dongyoung, leader of the Democratic Peace Party, met with Sim Sangjung, leader of the Justice Party, at the National Assembly on February 3. It is reported that the meeting focused on forming a progressive and reform-oriented alliance, rather than joining the opposition coalition centered around Ahn Cheolsoo’s anti-Moon alliance. Previously, on January 16, Chung also had a dinner meeting with Sohn Hakkyu, leader of the Bareunmirae Party. At this meeting, the Bareunmirae Party, Democratic Peace Party, and Alternative New Party agreed on the need for an alliance and discussed ways to avoid reverting to the former People’s Party framework.

The actions of these three party leaders are interpreted as efforts to form a progressive opposition alliance. In particular, to emphasize their reformist stance, they plan to expand the '3+1' coalition to include minor parties outside the National Assembly. A Democratic Peace Party official stated, "It appears that discussions are taking place at the level of a reformist progressive alliance," and added, "Chung and Sohn agreed on the need to shed the 'Honam regional identity'." Regarding the meeting with Sim, the official said, "Since we are still considering the 'plus alpha' beyond the existing political forces, it was likely for information sharing," and added, "We could potentially work with extra-parliamentary parties such as the Green Party, Youth Party, and Small Business Party." A Justice Party official commented, "Although Sim did meet with Chung, there was absolutely no such discussion," and clarified, "There are no related discussions within the party."

The Democratic Peace Party and the Alternative New Party have already distanced themselves from Ahn Cheolsoo’s anti-Moon alliance. On January 22, Chung Dongyoung stated on TBS radio, in response to a question about whether the Democratic Peace Party could work with Ahn, "It seems Ahn intends to go with the anti-Moon alliance, but that is not the path for the Democratic Peace Party," drawing a clear line. On January 30, he also proposed 'three principles for opposition integration,' emphasizing the identity of reformist opposition parties. Choi Kyunghwan, leader of the Alternative New Party, also said, "I fully agree with Chung’s proposal," and added, "The overall trend is making us firmly believe that Ahn has a different vision from our reform alliance. Once again, we are fundamentally different from the anti-Moon alliance or conservative integration."

If these four parties form an alliance for the upcoming general election, it is likely to focus on fielding unified candidates and supporting each other’s campaigns in constituencies, rather than a full merger. A National Assembly official said, "Given the stark differences in party identity, a merger between the Justice Party and the former People’s Party factions would be difficult," and added, "However, there is a high possibility of a typical election alliance, such as unified candidates."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, the Ahn Cheolsoo New Party (tentative name), led by former lawmaker Ahn, finalized its first round of appointments for the party establishment planning committee on this day. Lawmaker Lee Taekyu and Kim Kyunghwan, CEO of the law firm Minwhoo, were appointed as heads of the committee. Lee is known as a key figure in planning and strategy, while lawyer Kim, a blockchain expert, will be responsible for designing the shared party and blockchain party concepts. The Ahn Cheolsoo New Party aims to hold its founding members’ meeting in mid-February, and has designated the following as heads of the party’s founding committees in seven metropolitan cities and provinces: Kim Samhwa (Seoul), Lee Dongseop (Gyeonggi), Choi Wonsik (Incheon, former lawmaker), Shin Yonghyun (Daejeon), Kim Sumin (Chungbuk), Kim Jungro (Sejong), and Kwon Eunhee (Gwangju).

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