United Future Party and Liberty Korea Party "Promptly Promote Merger"... Formation of Merger Discussion Committee

"Efforts to Abolish the 'Semi-Linked Proportional Representation System' in the 20th National Assembly"

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, and Won Yoo-chul, leader of the Mirae Korea Party, hold a press conference related to the merger at the National Assembly on the 14th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyemin and Lim Chunhan] The United Future Party and the Future Korea Party decided on the 14th to establish a body to discuss the merger of the two parties and to promote a swift unification.

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party and acting party leader, and Won Yoo-chul, leader of the Future Korea Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly in the afternoon and announced, "We have decided to promote a swift merger of the two parties," adding, "To this end, we will form a merger discussion body."

They stated, "Since the harmful effects of the semi-proportional representation system, unilaterally passed by the '4+1 negotiation group' without bipartisan agreement, were confirmed in the general election, we will strive to abolish it within the 20th National Assembly." Targeting the Democratic Party of Korea, Leader Won said, "Isn't the Open Democratic Party also a proportional party? Instead of telling us to abolish proportional parties, we hope the Open Democratic Party will merge as well."

The merger discussion body will include two members from each party. Regarding the deadline for the merger, Leader Won responded, "We will do it as soon as possible."

When asked whether amending the party constitution to extend the party leader's term was unnecessary, Leader Won said, "Although I am the party leader, it is necessary to gather the consensus of incumbent lawmakers, elected officials, and party members," adding, "We will sufficiently gather consensus on the 19th and proceed." He added, "We will carry out necessary tasks during the merger process. The merger is the priority. The rest are secondary issues."

Acting Leader Joo said, "I was not aware of the proposal to extend (Leader Won's) term," and clarified, "It is a separate issue from the merger."

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