United Party and People Party Increasing Contact Points... Kwon Eun-hee: "We Are the Conservative Opposition"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Attention is focused on the opposition coalition movement between the United Future Party and the People’s Party. Members of both parties have formed a joint research group called the 'National Future Forum' to increase points of contact between them. At this meeting, Kwon Eun-hee, the floor leader of the People’s Party, even used the expression "our conservative opposition party." The political circle is paying attention to whether this meeting will serve as a stepping stone for opposition realignment beyond policy seminars.

Floor leader Kwon stated at a seminar titled "Workers Who Support Us, We Who Support Workers" held at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building on the 19th, "The forum is receiving interest and expectations in many ways." Hwang Bo-seung-hee, a United Future Party member, responded, "It is a forum with many meanings." Yoo Ui-dong, a United Future Party member, said, "I think the National Future Forum clarifies the goals and aspirations of what was mentioned earlier by floor leader Kwon as our conservative opposition party through discussions."

Right after the seminar, floor leader Kwon said, "It is not yet at the stage of having the will for (unification), but we have an open mind." However, when asked if Ahn Cheol-soo, the leader of the People’s Party, shared the same position, she replied, "Well..." Regarding the mention of "our conservative opposition party," she explained, "It was not something we defined ourselves but rather an acceptance of the media’s categorization."

The National Future Forum is a research group involving members of the United Future Party and the People’s Party. From the United Future Party, three-term member Yoo Ui-dong and many first-term members including Kim Byung-wook, Kim Woong, and Yoon Hee-sook participated, while from the People’s Party, floor leader Kwon and Choi Yeon-sook were listed. Floor leader Kwon and member Hwang were elected as co-chairs of the forum, and member Kim Byung-wook took on the role of secretary and chief researcher.

Recently, it is also notable that the United Future Party and the People’s Party have been voicing unified opinions on current issues. Issues such as the organization of the National Assembly and basic income, as well as university tuition refunds, are representative examples. Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the United Future Party, stated the day before, "During the process of preparing the third supplementary budget, we clearly set matters related to university tuition so that students can feel assured." Leader Ahn also said, "Since students are not attending school, costs are being saved, so it is natural to prepare these as funds for refunds," but added, "The principle should be that universities primarily secure the funds."

There was also speculation about whether Chairman Kim and Leader Ahn had met. On the 15th, Chairman Kim said, "If necessary, I can have a conversation (with Leader Ahn). I am not refusing dialogue," but added, "If we are to have a conversation, there should be a topic." He also said, "(The People’s Party) only has three seats..." and added, "I have never contacted (Leader Ahn’s side) at all." Leader Ahn said on the 12th regarding a meeting with Chairman Kim, "There will be an opportunity."

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