Transition to 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee' and Merger with Korean Party... United Party Gains Momentum

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] After struggling with numerous challenges following a crushing defeat in the general election, the United Future Party decided to transition to the 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Response Committee (ERC)' and successfully merged with the Future Korea Party, taking a step forward. Under the ERC system, the party is expected to swiftly initiate reform efforts.

Joo Ho-young, the United Future Party floor leader, told reporters after a closed-door meeting of elected members at the National Assembly on the 22nd, "At the elected members' meeting, it was overwhelmingly decided to appoint former general election campaign chairman Kim Jong-in as the ERC chairman of the United Future Party until the by-elections next year." The party held elected members' workshops over the 21st and 22nd to discuss party reconstruction plans and leadership structure, and on that day, a vote was held to decide on the leadership system, resulting in the transition to the 'Kim Jong-in ERC.'

The United Future Party plans to proceed with follow-up procedures such as the Standing National Committee and amend party rules that currently set the ERC term until the end of August. Floor leader Joo said, "There will still be processes to gather opinions from out-of-parliament party branch chiefs and various national committees or the Standing National Committee, but it is very important that the direction has been set."

Previously, the United Future Party experienced nearly a month of turmoil over the transition to the ERC. After the general election defeat, former floor leader Shim Jae-chul requested Kim Jong-in to take on the ERC chairman position, but faced internal opposition. An attempt to extend the ERC term by convening the Standing National Committee failed due to a lack of quorum, casting doubt on the possibility of the 'Kim Jong-in ERC.'

However, following this, floor leader Joo Ho-young, a supporter of the 'Kim Jong-in ERC,' was elected, and a consensus formed inside and outside the party that "there is no suitable candidate other than former chairman Kim," leading to Kim ultimately heading the ERC. Although some lawmakers advocated for a 'self-reliance theory' during the vote, it could not change the overall trend.

The long-stalled merger issue with the Future Korea Party was also resolved. Won Yu-cheol, leader of the Future Korea Party, told reporters after the party's Supreme Council meeting that "the party convention scheduled for the 26th will be canceled, and the merger will be decided by the 29th." Originally, the Future Korea Party planned to hold a convention on the 26th to extend Won's term, but growing voices within the party calling for an 'early merger' led to its cancellation.

Until the 21st, the Future Korea Party had conveyed through Secretary-General Yeom Dong-ryeol to the United Future Party that "a merger within this month is difficult," but the United Future Party publicly pressured by stating "we will unify unconditionally." Even elected members and party officials of the Future Korea Party urged the leadership to merge, prompting leader Won to say, "We will do our best to complete the merger by the 29th."

Accordingly, the United Future Party is expected to rapidly transition to the ERC system and merge with the Future Korea Party, embarking on full-scale reform efforts. At the elected members' workshop on the 21st, various proposals and discussions were held on sensitive issues such as the basic income system, nurturing young politicians, and gender discourse, aimed at rebuilding conservatism.

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