[Exclusive] Future United Party Begins Considering Third Party "'Gungjeuktong', There Are Many Parties"… Targeting Korea Economic Party and Others

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 19th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The United Future Party has begun considering a 'Plan B' to field proportional representation candidates through a third party, not the Future Korea Party. Although the Future Korea Party plans to replace about four proportional candidates at the request of the United Future Party, the latter maintains a tough stance, saying "the entire list is problematic." It appears difficult to restore the already fractured relationship despite their claim of being 'sister' parties.

On the 19th, a key official of the United Future Party said, "We need to observe until today, but there is a strong tendency within the party to question the entire nomination process of the Future Korea Party," adding, "Looking at the profiles of those within the winning range up to number 20, it is hard to accept easily."

This indicates that the situation cannot be resolved by partial adjustments alone. The official said, "Isn't it that they caused the problem and now want to settle by giving up this much? Accepting it that way would not only look bad but also lose principles and cause huge internal backlash."

They are already reviewing other parties. A United Future Party official said, "There are already dozens of parties. We are reviewing several parties including the Korea Economic Party," adding, "'Gungjeuktong (窮則通)'?if you look, you will find one." Another United Future Party official also said, "It is natural for a party to pursue Plan B depending on the situation. It is possible."

In this regard, Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, emphasized at the Supreme Council meeting that day, "Considering the meaning and importance of this election, we cannot just overlook it. A firm decision is necessary."

While the United Future Party can field proportional candidates on its own, considering that candidate registration starts on the 26th, there is physically little time left. Collaborating with existing parties is relatively easier.

The Korea Economic Party, which advocates moderate conservatism, is pushing to recruit incumbent lawmakers who were eliminated in the United Future Party's nomination process. It is reported that they have already completed local opinion polls in consultation with some lawmakers. For now, it is expected to be a strong partner for 'Plan B.' Also, the Preparatory Committee for the founding of the Liberty Korea Party, whose chairman is the United Future Party Secretariat's labor union leader, could be another candidate.

The Future Korea Party is expected to announce an adjusted proportional representation list this afternoon. Gong Byung-ho, chairman of the Future Korea Party's nomination committee, appeared on KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs' and stated, "There were about five requests from the Supreme Council, and we accepted about four of them." They placed Yoon Joo-kyung, former director of the Independence Hall, Choi Seung-jae, president of the Small Business Federation, and Lee Jong-sung, former secretary-general of the Korea Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities, within the winning range, while maintaining the number one spot for Cho Soo-jin, former Dong-A Ilbo editorial writer. Kwon Ae-young, former chairman of the Liberty Korea Party Jeonnam Provincial Party, who faced allegations of employment fraud and academic forgery, was excluded, and Shin Dong-ho, former MBC announcer director suspected of involvement in the MBC blacklist, retained his original number 14 position.

Meanwhile, the conflict between the United Future Party and the Future Korea Party has escalated into legal responsibility issues. Peace Tree, chaired by political commentator Kim Yong-min, announced the day before that it would file a complaint with the Election Commission against United Future Party leader Hwang and recruitment committee chairman Yeom Dong-ryeol, and co-campaign committee chairman Park Hyung-joon for violating the Public Official Election Act. They argue that since the two parties are clearly different parties, interfering in the nomination of proportional representation candidates of another party violates the Public Official Election Act.

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