‘Proportional Alliance Party’ Justice Party Abstains, Minsaeng Party Wavers

Differences Expressed Among Minsaengdang Leadership
Kim Jeonghwa: "Satellite Parties Must Be Eradicated"
Park Juhyun: "Democratic Party Should Give Up Proportional Representation"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Among the ‘4+1’ consultative group that led the election system reform, the Justice Party was the first to declare its non-participation in the proportional representation coalition party. On the other hand, the Minsheng Party is showing signs of confusion as disagreements have surfaced within the party leadership. Co-leader Kim Jeong-hwa, formerly of the Bareunmirae Party, and Co-leader Yoo Seong-yeop, formerly of the Alternative New Party, have clearly expressed opposition, while Co-leader Park Joo-hyun, formerly of the Party for Democracy and Peace, advocates conditional support.

Co-leader Kim stated at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th, “The proportional representation coalition party, which betrays its own principles and even the cause of political reform, will become the grave of the Democratic Party of Korea,” adding, “The Minsheng Party will definitely eradicate this unconstitutional, illegal, and anti-democratic satellite party.” He continued, “Participation in the proportional representation coalition party ultimately proves that the Democratic Party and the United Future Party are coexisting within the vested interests of the large two-party system,” and criticized, “This parasite is eating away at Korean politics. How long must our people endure the outdated and backward politics of the two major parties?”

Co-leader Yoo told reporters after the Supreme Council meeting on the 4th, “I oppose satellite parties themselves, and moreover, coalition parties have no value whatsoever.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the other hand, Co-leader Park proposed that while the Democratic Party of Korea gives up proportional representation, minor parties would form a proportional representation election coalition. At an emergency meeting of the Democratic Integration Assembly on the afternoon of the 6th, Park said, “The Democratic Party should give up proportional representation. The Minsheng Party, Justice Party, Future Party, Green Party, and other parties will form an election coalition,” emphasizing, “There is an urgent task to prevent the resurrection of the Park Geun-hye impeachment faction. Will we just watch with open eyes as the Future Korea Party nullifies election reform and unjustly takes more than 20 seats?”

Earlier, on the 8th, the Justice Party adopted a special resolution at the National Committee meeting stating, “Under no circumstances will we participate in a ‘proportional representation election coalition party.’” The Justice Party said in the resolution, “We have no intention of joining hasty politics that deny ourselves and suppress the desire for change,” adding, “The path we have walked is not light enough to abandon our mission and pursue profit immediately.”

Regarding the Democratic Party’s consideration of joining a coalition party, the Justice Party criticized, “The ruling party’s attitude of abandoning principles and responding to foul play with foul play is a dangerous idea that shakes party politics to its core.” They added, “Distorting the will of the people and forcing voters’ choices inevitably grants impunity to the tricks committed by the United Future Party,” and criticized, “Trying to twist even the direction of the system due to its deficiencies is nothing but legalizing seat theft again and returning to the vested two-party system.”

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