Alternatives and Peace Faction Approve Participation in Proportional Alliance Party... Bareunmirae Faction Declares "No Effect" (Comprehensive Report 2)

Co-Representative Kim Jeong-hwa 'Choked Up'... Bareunmirae Faction's Last Stand
Park Juhyun and Jang Jeongsuk Force Approval at Emergency Supreme Council
Controversy Over Party Charter Interpretation and Meeting Chairmanship
Minsaeng Party Union: "Are They Minsaeng Party Lawmakers or Individuals of the Democratic Party?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the 18th, Minsaengdang clashed head-on over the Democratic Party of Korea's push to participate in a proportional representation coalition party. The Alternative New Party and Democratic Peace Party factions, based on discussions from the previous day's parliamentary meeting, insisted on adopting the party's official stance at the Supreme Council meeting, while Kim Jeong-hwa, co-chair from the Bareunmirae Party faction, refused to put the agenda on the table and left. In response, Park Joo-hyun, co-chair from the Democratic Peace Party faction, held an emergency Supreme Council meeting and passed the agenda excluding the Bareunmirae Party faction. The Bareunmirae Party faction declared the decision to participate in the proportional representation coalition party as 'null and void.'

At a press conference held immediately after the emergency Supreme Council meeting, Co-chair Park said, "The party constitution stipulates that the party leader convenes meetings. Whether it is me, Co-chair Kim, or Co-chair Yoo Seong-yeop, any of us has the authority to convene," adding, "There is no legal issue with this." During this process, Bareunmirae Party faction officials strongly protested. About ten officials from the Bareunmirae Party faction held placards stating "We firmly oppose participation in the pro-Moon Jae-in coalition party" and shouted, "The Supreme Council decision is invalid," and "Where else is this kind of process conducted?"

Co-chair Park and Floor Leader Jang Jeong-sook attempted to continue the press conference after the Supreme Council meeting, but moved to another location due to disturbances. When officials from the Bareunmirae Party faction followed, officials from the Alternative New Party and Democratic Peace Party factions blocked them, leading to physical scuffles. Floor Leader Jang said, "Co-chair Kim always talks about the party constitution but why imitate the bad behavior of opposition parties?" and added, "Today, they silently protested by not wearing the Minsaengdang jumper. It means they do not want to be with Minsaengdang," sharpening her tone.

After the Alternative New Party and Democratic Peace Party factions decided to participate in the proportional representation coalition party, Co-chair Kim immediately issued a statement opposing it. Kim stated, "I have the authority to preside over the Supreme Council meeting. The meeting that decided participation in the proportional representation coalition party was merely a briefing," and emphasized, "Even if the party leader can convene a meeting upon the request of one-third of the total Supreme Council members, I never agreed to convene this meeting." He continued, "Co-chair Park, who has repeatedly expressed willingness to resign, led this briefing that violates the party's founding spirit and platform, thus taking part in misconduct," and criticized, "Isn't this to sell Minsaengdang to the proportional Democratic Party led by the 'Protecting Cho Kuk (formerly the Fierce Fight National Movement Headquarters) Citizen Platform'? It's time to honestly reveal your true intentions."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, the Bareunmirae Party faction clearly opposed the proportional representation coalition party at the Supreme Council meeting. Co-chair Kim criticized, "Whether to participate in the proportional representation coalition party is a matter related to the party's direction, not a major policy or bill," and urged, "The new floor leadership should comply with the party constitution." He added, "Are you trying to sell the party to the pro-Moon (pro-Moon Jae-in) forces?" and said, "Those who belittle the people and try to drive the party to the brink of illegality should decisively leave Minsaengdang now."

After the Supreme Council meeting, Co-chair Kim apologized to reporters, saying, "I am sorry for the loud exchanges inside. With the election approaching, we could not continue to coordinate differences. We should have resolved the conflict more, but we failed to do so." He choked up, saying, "We did not create this party to become the Democratic Party's second squad. Those who engage in such disgraceful politics should be ashamed in front of younger politicians."

Supreme Council member Lee In-hee also said, "Minsaengdang, which has even filed complaints that the creation of a proportional party itself violates the Political Parties Act, joining the proportional representation coalition party is a serious self-contradiction and the ultimate self-defeat. It is shameful enough to file a self-complaint to the prosecution," and added, "Park Ji-won should stop this political maneuver of selling the party to the Democratic Party even at the cost of dividing the party and retire from politics."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Currently, controversies continue within the party over the interpretation of the party constitution and regulations and the authority to preside over meetings. According to Article 53 of the party constitution and regulations, the function and authority of the parliamentary meeting are defined as adopting and changing the party's official stance on major policies and bills. Even if participation in the proportional representation coalition party is considered a major policy, according to Article 57 of the party constitution and regulations, adopting and changing the party's official stance on major policies and bills requires approval by two-thirds or more of the total members. Currently, Minsaengdang has 25 members, so 17 votes are needed to adopt the party's official stance by two-thirds. The Alternative New Party and Democratic Peace Party factions passed the resolution at the parliamentary meeting with a majority of members present and a majority of votes. They claim it is a legitimate procedure as they requested the Supreme Council to decide the party's official stance.

The Minsaengdang labor union and the Bareunmirae Party secretariat labor union issued a statement saying, "Are the lawmakers who left because they disliked the party and then returned because they wanted to be elected, trying to sell the party to the two major parties, conscientious?" and "Those advocating participation in the proportional representation coalition party should clarify whether they are Minsaengdang lawmakers or Democratic Party's lackeys (dogs used for hunting)." They urged, "The party leadership should firmly reject participation in the proportional representation coalition party, trusting the people, party members, and officials," and said, "Those who only care about their own interests should please leave the party."

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