Reunited United Korea Party... First Party Bill is the 'Post-Corona Livelihood Economy Act'

United Korea Party, First Elected Members' Assembly After Merger
Plan to Introduce No.1 Bill 'Post-Corona Package Economic Bill'

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, Lee Jong-bae, chairman of the Policy Committee, and other elected members are attending the elected members' general meeting held at the National Assembly on the 29th, participating in the national ceremony. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] The elected members of the 21st National Assembly from the United Future Party and the Future Korea Party gathered in one place on the 30th, a day before the opening of the 21st National Assembly.

This was their first official schedule after completing all merger procedures, from the resolution of the merger to registration with the Election Commission. It was also the first time they met together. The proportional representation members who changed their affiliation from the Korea Party to the United Future Party expressed their enthusiasm, saying, "We will contribute to creating a small but strong opposition party." The United Future Party decided to introduce an economic revitalization package bill to overcome the post-COVID-19 era as the 'No. 1 party bill' of the 21st National Assembly.

On the morning of the 29th, the United Future Party held its first elected members' general meeting after the merger at the National Assembly. It was the first time in 113 days since the creation of the Korea Party, a satellite party dedicated to proportional representation to counter the mixed-member proportional representation system, that they gathered as one party again. With the addition of proportional representation members to the United Future Party, which was composed only of constituency-elected members, the party's seat count rose to 103.

The merged party decided to follow the United Future Party's format for the party name and leadership system. Considering the need for a swift merger, they adopted an absorption-type merger method. However, the spirit of the merger is seen by the Korea Party-origin elected members as a 'party-to-party merger.' The party name will be left to the Emergency Response Committee, but the merger task force recommended using the name 'Future Korea Party.'

At the elected members' general meeting, the United Future Party elected members and the proportional representation members from the Korea Party exchanged official greetings for the first time after the merger. Floor leader Joo Ho-young said, "We should have been together from the beginning, but due to the flawed and abnormal mixed-member proportional representation election law, we were inevitably separated. Now, as comrades, we will unite to become a proper first opposition party and a governing party-in-waiting."

Joo seemed conscious of the controversy during the past merger between the New Conservative Party and the Liberty Korea Party, where only New Conservative Party members were called to the stage for greetings. He said, "We considered other formats, but there was no other way. Please do not take it too sensitively," asking for understanding from the proportional representation members. He then requested, "Those seated, please stand and welcome them."

On this day, the 'No. 1 party bill' of the 21st National Assembly was also discussed. While the focus was on an economic revitalization bill to overcome the 'post-COVID' era, various bills related to public safety and fairness were also discussed. Floor leader Joo said, "We plan to compile bills to revive the people's economy after the COVID-19 crisis and submit them as the No. 1 bill. If there are additional proposals, we will combine them into the No. 1 bill." Considering the proportional representation merger quota, elected members Choi Seung-jae, Jeon Ju-hye, and Lee Yong were additionally appointed as deputy floor leaders for the vacant positions.

Earlier, the proportional representation members from the Korea Party held a press conference at the National Assembly Rotunda to express their thoughts on the merger. They said, "We have been able to keep the promise made to the public that the 'brother parties would reunite after the general election' before the end of the 20th National Assembly," and expressed their determination, saying, "Although everything is awkward, we will take one step at a time, focusing solely on the people." They also pledged to uphold ▲liberal democracy and the rule of law ▲avoid divisive and partisan remarks ▲not to dwell on the past to ruin the present and future ▲not to hide behind privileges such as immunity or non-arrest.

At the same time, they expressed regret that the ruling coalition still has two to three satellite parties. Representative Choi Seung-jae, who participated in the merger task force, said, "It is unfortunate that the ruling party leaves satellite parties and unilaterally decides to appoint standing committee chairs in a one-way manner." He added, "Although the Korea Party name will disappear into history, if acts that deny the legislature continue, the meaning pursued by the Korea Party?to communicate with the people?will continue to be sublimated and developed. If the ruling party tries to undermine this spirit, we will have no choice but to communicate again with each citizen on the streets."

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