Barunmirae, Daean, and Pyeonghwa Integration Talks 'Hit a Snag'... Sohn Hak-kyu Says "Will Quit After Completing Integration"

Alternative New Party Demands Son Hak-kyu's Voluntary Resignation
Barunmirae and Peace Prioritize 'Bipartisan Integration' First

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] The Bareunmirae Party, the Alternative New Party, and the Party for Democracy and Peace continued discussions on third-way integration on the 13th but failed to narrow their differences. The Bareunmirae Party and the Party for Democracy and Peace decided to proceed first with integration talks between the two parties, excluding the Alternative New Party, which demands the resignation of Bareunmirae Party leader Sohn Hak-kyu from his second term. They agreed to resume negotiations at 4 p.m. that day.

Park Joo-hyun, Special Committee Chair for Integration Promotion of the Party for Democracy and Peace, told reporters at the National Assembly Members' Office Building after the negotiations that morning, "The Alternative New Party insists that Leader Sohn must resign first," adding, "The Bareunmirae Party and the Party for Democracy and Peace will continue their integration efforts and proceed independently." Alternative New Party Integration Promotion Committee Chair Yoo Sung-yeop did not attend the meeting.

Regarding Bareunmirae Party's compromise proposal to form a joint leadership system with the current leaders until the second-stage integration date on the 28th, which includes youth and future generations as Sohn leader suggests, Park said, "I consider it a reasonable proposal."

Park stated, "Chairman Park Joo-sun has conducted negotiations well with Leader Sohn to completely finish the integration by February 28, alleviating some concerns, and I respect that," adding, "We can trust this and proceed with the integration."

On the Alternative New Party's rejection of the compromise, Park criticized, "Is the integration going to fail because of setting up a temporary leadership for a week until the next leadership election? I don't understand that."

When asked if the procedures could be completed by the 17th, the integration deadline, Park replied, "We will try to meet it, but it might extend to the 20th or 21st," adding, "We will also find ways with Chairman Park Joo-sun on what needs to be done during the February extraordinary session of the National Assembly."

Leader Sohn told reporters at the National Assembly Members' Office Building that afternoon, "I told Representative Park Joo-sun that I will finish the integration and step down by the end of February," adding, "The integration will include the future forces as well."

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