Yun Hojung: "Seven Will Join the Simindang... Yeollin Minjudang Is a Completely Unrelated Party"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Yoon Ho-jung, Secretary General of the Democratic Party of Korea, revealed that the number of his party's incumbent lawmakers to be dispatched to the proportional representation coalition party, Deobureo Simindang, is seven. Regarding the possibility of an alliance with the Open Democratic Party, he reiterated, "It is a party completely unrelated to the Democratic Party."

Secretary General Yoon appeared on KBS Radio on the morning of the 25th and said, "Among our party members who are not running for re-election, if there are those who voluntarily want to go to Deobureo Simindang, we requested them to transfer their party membership," adding, "About seven members are expected to go. The final report will be made at the members' meeting this afternoon."

When asked if the number is smaller than that of the Future Korea Party, he replied, "Rather than being greedy about the ballot number, it is easier for voters to find the party if it secures a certain number of seats and appears at the front of the ballot paper, so we made the recommendation from that perspective."

Regarding the Open Democratic Party led by former lawmakers Jeong Bong-ju and Son Hye-won, he emphasized, "It is a party completely unrelated to our Democratic Party." He said, "Looking at the candidates of the Open Democratic Party, they are people who have been active as prominent figures around the political circle," adding, "They may be good at fighting against the opposition party, but the ruling party has the responsibility to govern the country."

Regarding former Blue House spokesperson Kim Eui-gyeom and others who opposed the nomination results and appeared on the Open Democratic Party's proportional representation candidate list, he called it "a challenge to the nomination system" and reiterated the policy of no reinstatement.

Regarding Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan's radio interview on the 23rd, where he said, "After the general election, minimal cooperation with the Open Democratic Party is possible," Yoon said, "He did not say that. Cooperation with minor parties in the National Assembly can be done if necessary, but it does not mean that such cooperation is possible with the Open Democratic Party."

Regarding allegations that Yang Jeong-cheol, director of the Democratic Research Institute, interfered in the Deobureo Simindang nominations, he refuted, saying, "After checking the facts, it was not interference; it was understood that Deobureo Simindang requested each organization. It is a distorted story."

Regarding the Gaja Human Rights and Peace Party, which was to participate in Deobureo Simindang but protested after their candidate was excluded from the nomination, he said, "It happened because there was no suitable candidate." He added, "It is unfortunate for that party, but if candidates are not suitable, they may not be able to participate, which was agreed upon in advance."

When asked about the initial intention of creating a proportional representation coalition party being distorted by joining with Citizens for the People and Platform instead of the Political Reform Alliance, he said, "We also feel somewhat unfair about such evaluations."

Regarding the target number of seats for this general election, he was reserved, saying, "It does not seem to be an appropriate time to talk about it yet."

Meanwhile, Secretary General Yoon reaffirmed that he has no intention of withdrawing the accusation against the United Future Party when the Future Korea Party was founded. In response to the question, "Shouldn't you withdraw the accusation against the United Future Party?" he replied, "It is different from the Future Korea Party. We participated in a party created by civil society to nominate proportional candidates."

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