Justice Party Absence, Minsaeng Party Confusion... Coalition Party "Politics is Alive, Will Continue Discussions"

Senior figures from civil society held a press conference on the morning of the 28th at Heungsadan in Daehangno, proposing the establishment of the Political Reform Alliance to block the Future Korea Party and complete political reform.

[Asia Economy Reporters Park Cheol-eung and Im Chun-han] The Justice Party clearly stated its position of not participating in the coalition party through the National Committee on the 8th. It was the first among the ‘4+1’ consultative body that led the introduction of the semi-proportional representation election system to decide its stance. In the case of the Minsheng Party, the party leadership showed disagreement and appeared indecisive. The coalition party proponents have expressed their intention to continue persuading and discussing with the Justice Party, Minsheng Party, and others until the deadline for party registration under the election law on the 16th. Their position is to prevent the division of the pan-progressive camp as much as possible.

Kim Jeong-hwa, co-representative of the Minsheng Party and former member of the Bareunmirae Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th, “A proportional coalition party that abandons its own principles and even betrays the cause of political reform will become the grave of the Democratic Party of Korea,” adding, “The Minsheng Party will definitely eradicate unconstitutional, illegal, and anti-democratic satellite parties.” He further criticized, “Participation in the proportional coalition party ultimately proves that the Democratic Party and the United Future Party are symbiotically maintaining the vested interests of the two major parties.”

Yu Seong-yeop, co-representative of the Alternative New Party and former member of the Bareunmirae Party, also said in a meeting with reporters on the 4th, “I oppose satellite parties themselves, and moreover, coalition parties have no value whatsoever.”

However, Park Joo-hyun, co-representative of the Democratic Peace Party, has proposed a plan where the Democratic Party of Korea gives up proportional representation, and minor parties form a proportional election coalition. At an emergency meeting of the Democratic Integration Assembly on the 6th, Park said, “The Democratic Party should give up proportional representation. The remaining parties such as Minsheng Party, Justice Party, Mirae Party, and Green Party will form an election coalition,” emphasizing, “There is an urgent task to prevent the revival of the Park Geun-hye impeachment forces. Will we just watch with our eyes open as the Future Korea Party nullifies election reform and unjustly takes more than 20 seats?”

On the 8th, the Justice Party stated through a special resolution at the National Committee, “We have no intention of participating in hasty politics that denies itself and suppresses the desire for change.” They added, “We cannot give a pardon to the tricks committed by the United Future Party.”

The Preparatory Committee for the Formation of the Political Reform Alliance (Formation Committee), composed of pan-progressive figures, cannot help but feel embarrassed. They proposed the coalition party on the grounds of expanding the number of seats for minor parties in the National Assembly, but if the Justice Party withdraws, the justification fades. The Formation Committee intends to keep the discussion channels open with the Justice Party and others.

A Formation Committee official said, “There is still about a week left for discussion,” adding, “It is unfortunate, but politics is a living thing. Since we have been working from outside to imprint the changed political landscape under the semi-proportional representation system and the pitfalls of this election on the public, we will continue discussions until the best answer emerges.”

The Justice Party is also understood to hope for a strategic split-voting plan where minor parties form an alliance under the premise that the Democratic Party does not field proportional candidates at all. They are rejecting a party formation type that includes the Democratic Party. However, among the minor parties, the Mirae Party is already actively considering participation in the Political Reform Alliance, and the Democratic Party is also likely to lean toward participation through a party member vote. Two scenarios are expected: the coalition party and the Justice Party run separate elections, or the coalition party framework itself becomes disrupted.

A Formation Committee official said, “For now, we will continue to talk with each party without making a conclusion, but after a certain point, a decision will have to be made in some way.”

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