Jeong Dong-young "There Can Be No Grudges with the Alternative New Party... Integration Needed to Create a Third Axis"

Ahn Cheol-soo Criticized as "Off Track and Lost His Way"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Jeong Dong-young, leader of the Democratic Peace Party, stated on the 6th regarding the integration talks with the Bareunmirae Party and the Alternative New Party, "We need to create a political landscape suitable for the era of multi-party systems," adding, "It is necessary to form a third axis through integration, and even more necessary to unite new political forces."

At a press conference held at the National Assembly on the party's 2nd anniversary, Jeong said, "There is limited time to inform what legitimacy and values the united party holds. Swift action is required."

In response to a question about whether there are internal complaints among Alternative New Party lawmakers, Jeong said, "In the process of moving toward integration, a broader perspective is needed," adding, "There may be some residual grievances, but they are minor issues and we must look at the bigger picture."

Jeong stated, "Those who joined forces for election reform through the 4+1 process are the Alternative New Party. It is understandable to have a grand integration with the Alternative New Party as if family members who once shared the same table are coming together again," while criticizing former lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo by saying, "On the contrary, Ahn Cheol-soo clearly opposed election reform and went against the values of the Peace Party." He particularly criticized Ahn, saying, "He has deviated from the track and lost his way."

He emphasized, "We must be clear about what we aim to achieve through integration," adding, "We should raise the banner of political reform, including a decentralized constitutional amendment and the completion of a proportional representation election system," and "Above all, the identity of the reform forces must be clear."

He continued, "Integration that merely increases the number of lawmakers, a 'blind integration,' cannot inspire," adding, "It must be a unification of forces, not just talent recruitment, and it should be a vessel that embraces the political aspirations of the socially vulnerable. Youth and small business owners must unite."

Jeong said, "The experience of the '4+1' (Democratic Party, Bareunmirae Party, Justice Party, Peace Party + Alternative New Party) during the last election reform process is a valuable asset, and a 'bold union' based on this could be an excellent alternative," adding, "It is also worth pursuing bold ideas such as the union of minority parties and reform progressives."

Jeong concluded, "The political alliance of reform progressives will be a great force against the emergence of satellite parties."

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