Reform New Party Officially Launched, First Party Leader Lee Jun-seok... "Conservative, Democratic, and Liberty Parties"

Supreme Council Members Cheon Haram, Heo Eun-ah, Lee Gi-in, Policy Committee Chair Kim Yong-nam

The Reform New Party, led by former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok, officially launched on the 20th.

On the same day, the Reform New Party held its founding convention at the National Assembly Members' Office Building and elected Lee Jun-seok, chairman of the Policy Committee, as the inaugural party leader. Former lawmaker Kim Yong-nam was appointed as the Policy Committee chairman, and three supreme council members?Cheon Ha-ram, Heo Eun-ah, and Lee Gi-in, who are founding preparation committee chairs?were appointed. Secretary-General Kim Cheol-geun retained his position.

In his acceptance speech, Party Leader Lee Jun-seok said, "The car key I received today feels very different from the car I used to drive. However, I am willing to take the key," adding, "I intend to drive this car on the highway of reform while looking toward Korea 30 years from now."

He continued, "If we fail to break through the bottlenecks of reform with a decisive attitude, I will challenge again," and said, "While I can wait, Korea cannot wait any longer in this moment of crisis. That is why I am wearing orange clothes together with you."

Heo Eun-ah, founding preparation committee chair, took the podium and defined the Reform New Party as a "conservative party, democratic party, and liberal party." She criticized the ruling party and government, saying, "If it is not a road, you should not take it. No matter how much you gather and insist it is a road, it does not become one," and added, "Their path, which denies General Hong Beom-do, disparages Teacher Kim Gu, and defines Dokdo as a disputed territory, is not a road."

The founding convention was attended by former People Power Party emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in, Lee Nak-yeon, head of the New Future Talent Recruitment Committee, Kim Jong-min, Cho Eung-cheon, and Jeong Tae-geun, co-chairs of the Future Great Union founding preparation committee, Yang Hyang-ja, representative of Hope of Korea, Geum Tae-seop, co-representative of New Choice, and former lawmaker Ryu Ho-jeong, among other third-way figures.

Through congratulatory speeches, they emphasized the necessity of a third-way "big tent," including the Reform New Party. The Reform New Party has shown a stance that it can discuss alliances after its official founding.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In his congratulatory speech, Lee Nak-yeon, head of the New Future Talent Recruitment Committee, said, "I hope we all cooperate for the challenges of the era," adding, "We know what changes the times demand and what kind of politics is desired. We must do that work together." He stated, "We are witnessing the fall of Korea. We are painfully experiencing what happens when someone without experience and preparation takes charge of state affairs," and added, "We are painfully experiencing what happens when incompetent and corrupt people monopolize politics."

Cho Eung-cheon, co-chair of the Future Great Union founding preparation committee, said, "The dog and cat raised at home have become two elephants, and the homeowner has to avoid them. The elephants are the established parties," adding, "The people seem to share our intentions and command us to drive out the elephants regardless of their size." He promised, "If possible, we will unite and follow the people's command," and added, "I hope the Reform New Party will join us."

Yang Hyang-ja, representative of Hope of Korea, said, "We started from different places but are people who want to go to the same place," adding, "The Reform New Party and Hope of Korea both understand well that the future of this land depends on science, technology, and advanced industries." Geum Tae-seop, co-representative of New Choice, said, "It is difficult to change alone. We must join forces."

Former People Power Party emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in said, "It seems that many people who are creating a new party here today have gathered, but it will be very difficult to achieve political success if we scatter and survive individually," adding, "If we unite and face the April general election as a single front, I am confident that you will fully achieve your intended goals."

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