Korean Party Elected Members Gather Opinions on Merger... Won Yoo-chul Says "Will Leave Without Regret After Integration"

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 Im Chunhan] Won Yoo-chul, leader of the Mirae Korea Party, expressed his intention to "leave without any regrets once the integration with the United Future Party is complete."

Jo Su-jin, spokesperson for the Mirae Korea Party, reported on the 15th that Won made this statement during a meeting with Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, on the 14th.

According to spokesperson Jo, during the meeting the previous day, Floor Leader Joo proposed to Won, "Since the Korea Party performed well in the election, shouldn't you take on the role of co-leader after the integration?" In response, Won said, "I have no such intention at all," and declined by saying, "After the integration, I will leave without any regrets and go hiking the Jeju Olle Trail with my wife."

On the same day, the Korea Party held a meeting with the 21st National Assembly elected members to discuss the merger procedures with the United Future Party and issues regarding Won's term.

After the first part of the two-hour meeting, spokesperson Jo told reporters, "It was a session to ask and answer questions about the merger agreement with Floor Leader Joo the previous day," explaining that questions were raised about the timing of the integration, extension of Won's term, and committee assignments.

Regarding this, Won stated, "My position on the merger has never changed even once," but also said, "The United Future Party is the elder brother of the moderate conservative parties, and synergy effects should be created upon merging," according to spokesperson Jo.

There was also an explanation about the amendment of the party constitution to extend Won's term. Won explained, "It is a party constitution amendment to change the term of the party leader to 'until the merger,'" adding, "Of course, it would be best if the merger is completed by the 29th, but the purpose is to prevent a leadership vacuum." When asked whether the elected members agreed to the extension, he said, "Regardless of approval or disapproval, it is just to remove obstacles that could hinder the merger."

He further explained, "According to the Korea Party's constitution, it is also possible to form an emergency response committee, but the downside is that it gives the impression of an 'emergency situation.'" Regarding committee assignments, he said, "Parliamentary activities will be conducted separately from the integration discussions in the integration task force, based on the 19 seats won by the elected members, in consultation with Floor Leader Joo," adding, "This is so-called two-track discussions."

The merger task force decided to appoint one elected member along with Secretary-General Yeom Dong-ryeol. From the United Future Party, lawmakers Kim Sang-hoon and Lee Yang-su have already been decided to participate. When asked if the merger timing might extend beyond the 29th, spokesperson Jo left room for possibility, saying, "Currently, there are 20 incumbent lawmakers, and it seems another discussion between incumbents and elected members is necessary."

This shows a subtle difference from Floor Leader Joo's statement to reporters on the same day, saying, "We (United Future Party) are fully prepared; they (Korea Party) need to act quickly," and "We believe immediate merger is absolutely desirable." In response, Won only said, "Since the discussion body has been formed, we have to proceed."

The Korea Party elected members' meeting will reconvene at 4 p.m. to discuss issues such as the party constitution amendment. Spokesperson Jo explained, "The discussions in the second part are linked to the upcoming schedule, presumably the party convention on the 19th."

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