The United Future Party Calls Jin Joong-kwon and Receives 'Bitter Criticism'... Struggling to Escape Far-Right Label

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The United Future Party is struggling to shed its image of being 'far-right' and 'using abusive language.' They invited Jin Joong-kwon, a progressive figure and former professor at Dongyang University, to discuss solutions for 'rebuilding conservatism,' and on the 18th, they will visit Gwangju to attend the May 18 Democratic Movement memorial ceremony.

According to the United Future Party on the 16th, floor leader Joo Ho-young, deputy floor leader Kim Seong-won, and other leadership members plan to visit Gwangju on the 18th to attend the democratization movement memorial ceremony.

This will be Joo's first external schedule since his election as floor leader, drawing attention to whether there will be an apology for the party's internal offensive remarks related to the May 18 Democratic Movement. Former leader Hwang Kyo-ahn previously visited Gwangju without properly disciplining party members who made offensive remarks and was met with water splashing.

Additionally, Representative Yoo Seung-min, along with Representatives Yoo Ui-dong and Kim Woong, will pay respects at the May 18 National Cemetery on the 17th. Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong, affiliated with the United Future Party, and three-term Representative Jang Je-won are also scheduled to visit Gwangju.

The fact that figures within the United Future Party are collectively visiting Gwangju is closely related to the recent trend within the party attempting to break ties with so-called far-right forces. Six-term senior lawmaker Kim Moo-sung strongly criticized some far-right YouTubers as "all people trying to make money" and declared an all-out war. Regarding the 'pre-election manipulation theory' raised mainly by conservative YouTubers, the party leadership concluded it was "a baseless story."

On the 15th, they also invited Jin, a leading progressive commentator, to discuss the causes of the general election defeat. At this meeting, Jin harshly criticized, saying, "The United Future Party has no brain. They couldn't even cross the river of impeachment," and added, "Although the Park Chung-hee myth hegemony has lost appeal in the information society, the United Future Party still clings to being 'anti-communist warriors.'"

Furthermore, on the 18th, the United Future Party's Media Special Committee will host a seminar to evaluate the general election and analyze the media environment. Newly elected lawmaker Kim Woong and former candidate Cheon Ha-ram from Suncheon-Gwangyang-Gokseong-Gurye district in Jeollanam-do, along with other young politicians within the party, will gather to analyze the causes of the general election defeat and seek new paths forward.

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