Amid North Korea Threats, Calls for 'Return' Emerge... United Future Party Continues Parliamentary Boycott

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kim Hye-min] Following the resignation of floor leader Joo Ho-young, the Future United Party, which now faces a 'leadership vacuum,' is maintaining a full boycott of the National Assembly on the 17th and is deliberating on future parliamentary operations. While some voices within the party call for at least some standing committees to be activated amid North Korea's increasingly aggressive military provocations, Floor Leader Joo remains unwilling to return.

On the 17th, Seong Il-jong, a member of the Future United Party's emergency committee, told reporters after a meeting of re-elected party members at the National Assembly, "I spoke with Floor Leader Joo by phone and requested his return, but he said he would not come back," adding, "We will continue to persuade him."

Previously, Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in had called Floor Leader Joo on the 16th to persuade him to return, expressing confidence that "he will naturally come back." Seong also requested his return, but it was not accepted. Floor Leader Joo is reportedly staying at a temple, and Seong plans to visit him once more in the afternoon to request his return.

However, within the Future United Party, there are calls to return to the National Assembly and activate some standing committees. On the same day, Representative Jang Je-won stated on Facebook, "North Korea has carried out a serious provocation. This is a national crisis that does not seem to be a one-time event," and added, "I hope the National Defense Committee and the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee can be activated."

Representative Jang's remarks are interpreted as directed toward the party's hardliners who insist on continuing opposition struggles even if all standing committees are conceded. He cited a Realmeter poll showing 52.4% support for the election of the Judiciary Committee chairman, saying, "The moderate public does not share our anger over who holds the Judiciary Committee chairmanship as much as we do."

During the Future United Party's re-elected members' meeting held that morning, the necessity of returning was also raised. Representative Jeong Jeom-sik said, "There were opinions that (Floor Leader Joo) should return," adding, "Many expressed concern over the leadership vacuum, and some suggested that he should end his seclusion and return to the National Assembly as soon as possible, but no consensus was reached." This indicates that within the party, hardliners and pragmatists remain sharply divided over Floor Leader Joo's return.

The Future United Party plans to continue boycotting standing committees while demonstrating its role as a 'policy party' through special committees. On the 16th, the party held the first meeting of the Foreign Affairs and Security Special Committee, criticizing the government's conciliatory policy toward North Korea. On the afternoon of the same day, the second meeting will be held to discuss countermeasures against North Korea. Additionally, the first Economic Innovation Special Committee meeting was held that morning to present the blueprint for the 'Kim Jong-in emergency committee's' economic policies, including basic income. Chairman Kim Jong-in will attend these meetings consecutively to express the party's positions on economic and security issues.

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