<野> Sojangpa Political Cafe Opens: "Not a Space for Presidential Election Preparation, but for Public and Political Communication"

'Oh Shin-hwan as Core' Yeouido 'House' Officially Opens on 26th
150 Members Invested... "A Philosophical Space to Find Answers Through Questions"
Professor Choi Jang-jip's Special Lecture Scheduled... Expected to Serve as a Political Platform for Non-Office Politicians

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] The political cafe "How's," created by a group of young conservative politicians, will open near the National Assembly on the 26th.

How's was established through investments from 150 cooperative members, including current and former members of the National Assembly. The chairman is former lawmaker Oh Shin-hwan. Before the opening, Oh held a media showcase on the afternoon of the 21st and explained, "There was a need to start a new political culture movement," adding, "We chose the cooperative model because we wanted it to be a democratic space where one person has one vote in an equal structure."

How's is a complex space combining a cafe, bookstore, lecture room, and YouTube studio. Oh said, "I hope How's becomes a space not only for those who aspire to politics but also for the public to engage in everyday politics and reflect on philosophy," and added, "While the ruling and opposition parties constantly engage in political strife in the National Assembly, we will strive to make this place a thoughtful space where questions lead to answers."

Yoo Ui-dong, a member of the People Power Party participating in How's, said, "What I thirsted for most while being in a political party was a space in Yeouido where opinions could be exchanged democratically and horizontally in an open space, not swayed by the opinions of specific individuals or groups," and added, "We will fill this insufficient space with abundant content."

They also dismissed the political view that How's is the presidential campaign organization of former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min.

Oh said, "There were reports as if it were a private organization of a specific individual or a presidential campaign space, but that is not true at all," emphasizing, "It is a space created by cooperative members' investments and must be a space with citizens, so I want to make it clear that it is not a personal space." He added, "Since the National Assembly is isolated, Yeouido feels like an island disconnected from the public. I hope it becomes a space for reflection where both sides respect each other's thoughts and find answers together, rather than just asserting their own predetermined answers."

Oh also emphasized, "I hope a space is created where not only conservatives but also centrists and even those from different political parties can take interest and participate," and added, "I hope it is not perceived as a specific presidential campaign organization."

How's is expected to be used as a political platform for politicians outside the National Assembly. Oh revealed that former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong have visited, as well as former People Power Party Secretary-General Kim Seon-dong. Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, Assembly member Cho Jung-hoon of the Transition Korea party, and Assembly member Cho Eung-cheon of the Democratic Party also visited How's that day to show their support.

The first program, a special lecture by Professor Choi Jang-jip, is scheduled for the 30th.

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