"Organize and Leave," Says Justice Party... Ryu Ho-jeong: "Party Affiliation Organization Is the Last Choice" (Summary)

Kim Jun-woo "Regret that the No.1 proportional representative leaves the party to form a new one"
Ryu Ho-jeong "I am a Justice Party proportional representative lawmaker"

Former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop, who leads the third zone group 'Saeroun Seontaek' (New Choice), and Ryu Ho-jeong, a Justice Party lawmaker who declared she would create a new party together with it, said that she would remain in the Justice Party to persuade others to join the new party. In response, Kim Jun-woo, the Justice Party Emergency Committee Chairman, said, "I hope you will neatly complete the resignation from the proportional representation National Assembly member position and party affiliation arrangements by December 16."

On the 8th, Kim, through his social networking service (SNS), said, "I am very sorry to report that the No. 1 proportional representation lawmaker of the Justice Party is leaving the party to establish another party."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The youth opinion group within the Justice Party led by Ryu, called 'Se Samche Gwonryeok' (Third Power), announced on the morning of the same day that they would form a new party with the 'Saeroun Seontaek' Preparatory Committee established by former lawmaker Geum. At a press conference, Ryu told reporters, "I will not leave," adding, "There is still a party-wide vote left, so the party's general election policy has not yet been finalized. There is room to change the decision." However, Kim urged a swift resolution.

Kim said, "Since the formation of the Justice Party Emergency Committee, we conducted a survey among party members regarding the coalition target for the new election alliance party. The survey confirmed that the majority held negative opinions about promoting an election alliance party with 'Saeroun Seontaek.' The Justice Party Emergency Committee, respecting the members' opinions, decided to exclude 'Saeroun Seontaek' from the value-based election alliance party promotion target," he emphasized.

He added that Ryu "has declared that she will form a new party differing from the Justice Party and its party line," and said, "Going forward, the Justice Party will steadfastly promote a value-centered election alliance new party with labor, climate political forces, progressive parties, and regional parties, and will proudly advance as a progressive party that will shape the future of Korean politics, not only for the 22nd general election but beyond."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In response, Ryu posted a rebuttal on SNS. She said, "Chairman Kim mentioned that the recent survey of Justice Party members showed a majority negative opinion toward the third zone new party formation by former lawmaker Geum and others, but there are also many members with positive opinions," adding, "I am confident that some members' judgments will change depending on the unfolding political situation."

She stated, "I am a proportional representation lawmaker of the Justice Party. From now on, I believe my role is to connect the Justice Party and the new party," and said, "My mission is to rescue comrades who dreamed of progressive governance from a sinking ship."

She continued, "The 'party affiliation arrangement' demanded by Chairman Kim is a last resort," and said, "My opponents are not Chairman Kim, who came with a special mandate, but the entrenched factions within the Justice Party who issued the special mandate to adopt the election alliance party policy that is destroying the party. Because of their greed and foolish decisions, many party members and supporters have lost hope and are leaving the party. I will continue to persuade the members until the end."

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