Lee Jae-jung "If the National Election Commission does not conduct a substantive review of Mirae Hangukdang, it must take state compensation responsibility"

On the 5th, at the Future Korea Party Central Party Founding Convention held at the National Assembly, Representative Han Sun-kyo, who was elected as the party leader, is delivering his acceptance speech. The Future Korea Party is a satellite party created by the Liberty Korea Party in response to the application of the semi-proportional representation system in the April 15 general election. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Lee Jae-jung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, urged the National Election Commission (NEC) to conduct a substantive review of the Liberty Korea Party's satellite party, 'Mirae Hangukdang,' stating, "If a proper review is not conducted, those involved will be held responsible for state compensation in the future."

He revealed yesterday that upon checking the offices of Mirae Hangukdang's provincial branches, they were found to share addresses with the Korea Party or were empty warehouses in fields.

In a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 11th, Lee said, "The NEC's refusal to approve the name of Ahn Cheol-soo's new party was not based on codified regulations but on a substantive review within a formal framework," adding, "The NEC must also verify the substance of Mirae Hangukdang's provincial branches."

He emphasized, "If clear defects are revealed and the NEC fails to conduct a proper review, those responsible will inevitably be held accountable for state compensation related to the losses."

Lee appeared on tbs radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' the previous day and stated, "Upon checking where Mirae Hangukdang's provincial branches are located, the Busan, Daegu, and Gyeongnam branches have addresses exactly matching those of the Korea Party's Busan, Daegu, and Gyeongnam branches." He also claimed, "The Ulsan branch office was found to be a remote warehouse in the middle of a field, as confirmed by Democratic Party preliminary candidate Kim Tae-seon, who visited the site in Dong-gu, Ulsan." According to the Political Parties Act, a party must have at least five provincial branches to be established, which is a procedure to confirm that it is a party capable of contesting nationwide elections.

In the interview, Lee said, "Since it has been confirmed that the party effectively lacks provincial branches, the NEC has an obligation to conduct a thorough review, and failure to do so would constitute dereliction of duty," adding, "The NEC holds the sole authority to control 'fake parties.'"

Mirae Hangukdang applied for party registration with the NEC on the 6th, and the NEC is currently reviewing whether there are any defects in the documents or requests for supplementation. Subsequently, within seven days, the NEC will decide whether to approve the registration through a meeting resolution.

An NEC official stated, "Even if the provincial branch addresses are the same as existing parties, it is possible if the floor or building is different; if they are exactly the same, we will provide further guidance." The official added, "Under the Political Parties Act, there are no restrictions even if the office is located in a field or is a temporary structure. On-site inspections can be conducted if necessary, but since we are currently at the document review stage, it is difficult to comment."

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