United Future Party Cuts Ties with Taegeukgi Supporters, Calls for Ahn... People's Party Draws the Line

Integration, 'Gunbul' Due to Seoul Mayor By-election
People Negative on Election Alliance and Integration... Policy Alliance Continues

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] The United Future Party has declared a break from the Taegeukgi faction and is sending a love call to Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party. Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the United Future Party, ignited the fire by mentioning the possibility of a unified candidate for the Seoul mayoral by-election in April next year. This is a strategic move to embrace Ahn and target the moderate voter base. In response, the People’s Party has drawn a line for now.

A representative of the People’s Party said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 28th, “This is not the timing to form an alliance and do something together with the United Future Party,” adding, “(Ahn) has declared that he will take the moderate path, and we believe that doing our best in difficult circumstances is the way to be recognized by the people.”

Although the People’s Party holds a negative stance on electoral alliances or party mergers with the United Future Party, policy cooperation between the two parties continues. Recently, the People’s Party and the United Future Party jointly submitted an impeachment motion against Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and have voiced a unified stance on various issues such as real estate policy and basic income. Members of both parties have also formed a joint research group called the National Future Forum.

The United Future Party has started discussions on the Seoul mayoral primary rules modeled after the “Mr. Trot” format. Some interpret this as paving the way to recruit Ahn. Floor leader Joo said on MBC Radio the previous day, “Ahn also thinks that the Moon Jae-in administration is seriously wrong and that its reckless actions must be stopped,” adding, “We have repeatedly expressed that we can always work together, and now the choice is up to Ahn or the People’s Party.” He further stated, “Whether it’s the Seoul mayoral race or the presidential election, combining Ahn’s independent support base with our party’s supporters will create greater expansion and be much more helpful in running the election.”

On the other hand, the United Future Party has declared a ‘cut-off’ from the far-right. Kim Jong-in, the party’s emergency committee chairman, said on the 26th regarding party members who attended the Gwanghwamun rally, “I think there is no need to deal with such people,” adding, “We can just ignore them.” Floor leader Joo also said on KBS Radio on the 25th, “Those who are called far-right in society are different from us,” and “Because of the claims that do not align with the general sentiment of such people, it is inevitable that our entire party is perceived as having members with such thoughts.”

Former United Future Party lawmaker Min Kyung-wook expressed anger on Facebook on the 26th, saying, “Kim Jong-in and Ha Tae-kyung, who have been wandering around somewhere, came into the party and now call me far-right,” adding, “That’s how you leftists see it. Do you think the genuine right-wing United Future Party members are just soft?”

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