Lee Jun-seok "Clarify if Merger is Yes or No"... People's Party "Members' Resistance is Strong, More Time Needed"

Lee Jun-seok "If I remind you of a war criminal, is the People Power Party the Japanese army?"
Bae Hyun-jin "Keep the promise to the People Party"
People Party "Strong opposition from party members, under current circumstances, it may have to be called off"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] On the 5th, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, once again demanded that the People’s Party clarify their position on the merger.

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Lee Jun-seok said, "The People’s Party says that the simple yes-or-no question about the merger reminds them of Japanese war criminal Yamashita, who demanded the British army’s surrender," adding, "This is beyond normal reasoning. If I remind you of a Japanese war criminal, does that mean the People Power Party is like the Japanese army? Apologize." He continued, "Stop troubling the people who earnestly desire opposition unity and give an answer," asking, "Is it yes or no to the merger?"

Lee also reiterated that other presidential candidates, including Ahn Cheol-soo of the People’s Party, still have the opportunity to participate in the People Power Party’s primary. He said, "The primary bus will depart at the end of August, and we will take everyone who wants to ride," adding, "We have the door open to turn on the air conditioning; if you knock on the door, we will open it for you. Please get on by the end of August."

Bae Hyun-jin, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, reminded at the same meeting that Ahn had expressed willingness to merge during the last Seoul mayoral by-election, saying, "The People Power Party hopes to merge with the People’s Party with an inclusive and broad heart and intends to keep its promises." Bae added, "It is inappropriate to exchange immature language that lowers dignity or is unbefitting of a political party’s stature and to conduct salami tactics in an unsightly manner. Already, 13 People Power Party candidates have entered the opposition primary; I sincerely ask once again that they join hands and come forward as promised on the path to regime change."

On the other hand, the People’s Party stated that more time is needed. A People’s Party official explained, "The reason we cannot come to the negotiation table is because internal opposition has grown, and voices are saying that if we go out in this atmosphere, the merger should be called off," adding, "Given the current mood, it is a situation where the merger should be terminated." The official said, "If the merger proceeds despite the members’ backlash, members will leave the party, and ultimately the centrist party may disappear. Therefore, more time is needed."

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