What if 'Choo Mi-ae's New Party' Emerges?…Ruling Party Says "No Impact Expected"

Kim Du-kwan "New party? Jo Eung-cheon's influence excessively reflected"
Goh Min-jung "Will pass on local know-how"

Former Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae, who has been raising her presence day by day by targeting former President Moon Jae-in and former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon, is expected by some in the opposition to join forces with former Minister Cho Kuk to gather the hardline opposition supporters and establish a new party. Meanwhile, the ruling party evaluates that the new party will help the People Power Party but will not have a significant influence. On the other hand, some in the opposition point out that the new party is an overly exaggerated speculation.

Kim Jae-won, Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, said on the 7th on KBS's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strongest Current Affairs,' "I think the possibility that former Minister Chu and former Minister Cho will create a new party and exert a significant influence is low," adding, "Former Minister Chu was the top contributor who made President Yoon Seok-youl, and this time she will bring victory in the general election for our party in the ruling camp," expressing his expectations.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, Cho Eung-cheon, a Democratic Party lawmaker, said that former Minister Chu is engaging in 'disruptive politics' targeting the party's hardline supporters and predicted that she might join hands with former Minister Cho to form a new party. Within the ruling party, there is a tacit expectation for the 'Chu Mi-ae new party,' which could erode opposition votes. Supreme Council Member Kim said, "Looking at former Minister Chu's personal style, she often makes decisions independently without heavily considering others' opinions, so I hope she will definitely form a new party together with former Minister Cho this time."

However, pro-Lee Nak-yeon Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Du-kwan dismissed the possibility, saying it was just Cho's personal opinion. On BBS's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal,' Kim said, "Cho is a lawmaker with very strong personal convictions, often making statements on major issues and frequently clashing with party leader Lee Jae-myung. In some ways, his remarks seem to reflect his excessive personal views."

He then predicted that former Minister Chu would continue her political activities within the party. Kim said, "As I mentioned earlier, former Minister Chu has served as party leader and a five-term lawmaker, so she will realize her political convictions within our party or not, but evaluating that she will join hands with former Minister Cho seems a bit excessive."

In the opposition, his remarks are interpreted more as a prelude to running for office rather than 'forming a new party.' Former lawmaker Shin Kyung-min, a pro-Lee Nak-yeon faction member, said on the previous day’s CBPC 'Kim Hye-young's News Sympathy,' "Politically, there is no way to talk without considering the upcoming general election," but added, "Considering various factors, it does not seem like a very good strategy."

If former Minister Chu runs for office instead of forming a new party, her return to Seoul Gwangjin-gu E, where she previously served five terms, is strongly mentioned. Currently, Democratic Party lawmaker Go Min-jung, who represents Gwangjin-gu E, said on YTN's 'News King Park Ji-hoon,' "It was a region where I barely defended against Oh Se-hoon (Seoul Mayor), and with rising housing prices and many large apartments being built, the area has become significantly more difficult compared to the past," emphasizing that the situation has changed.

She added, "Because I am aware of this situation, I believe she will pass on the know-how she has cultivated in the area for decades," and said, "Nevertheless, if she decides to run, I have no way to stop her."

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