Even Yang Hyang-ja Might Leave... Reform New Party in Turmoil Over Proportional Representation Conflict

Yang Hyang-ja "Do not agree with the results"
Kim Cheol-geun on SNS "This is my limit"
Disappointed as dedication and shares not considered
Signs of leadership departure such as leaving party or resignation

As the Reform New Party announced the list of proportional representation candidates, discord is growing mainly within the party leadership. Figures who have been with the party since its founding are being pushed down the proportional list outside the winning zone, accelerating signs of defection such as stepping down from party duties.

Yang Hyang-ja, the floor leader of the Reform New Party, is scheduled to hold a press conference this afternoon to announce her position regarding her future. A representative from Yang's office stated, "Around 2 p.m. today, Representative Yang will release her statement." There are also talks inside and outside the party about the possibility of her leaving the party.

The reason behind Yang Hyang-ja's opposition to the proportional candidate results is that Lee Chang-han, former vice chairman of the Semiconductor Industry Association and the first talent she recruited, was excluded. Immediately after the list was made public, Yang strongly protested, saying, "I first confirmed the proportional representation order at the Supreme Council meeting and do not agree with the result that does not include advanced science and technology talents."

Chairman of the Nomination Committee Kim Jong-in Receiving a Bouquet
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Han Sang-gyun = Kim Jong-in, chairman of the Nomination Committee of the Reform New Party, is receiving a bouquet from Floor Leader Yang Hyang-ja at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on February 26, 2024.
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However, key party members expressed that they cannot understand Yang Hyang-ja's opposition. Cheon Ha-ram, the Reform New Party proportional representation candidate ranked second, emphasized on CBS Radio that "Candidate Moon Ji-sook, ranked third, is a medical school professor and a bioengineering expert, an advanced science and technology talent, and was strongly recommended by Lee Shin-du, a member of the nomination committee aligned with Yang Hyang-ja." They claim that Yang's opinions were sufficiently considered.

Kim Cheol-geun, the party secretary-general who was excluded from the proportional candidate list, also openly showed his discomfort. On his SNS, he stated, "This is as far as I go. Vice Secretary-General Kim Seong-yeol is also done here," indicating his intention to resign from party duties.

Kim Jong-in, Chairman of the Nomination Committee, Responding to Reporters' Questions
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Jung-hoon = Kim Jong-in, Chairman of the Nomination Committee of the Reform New Party, is answering reporters' questions after holding the 2nd briefing of the Reform New Party Nomination Committee at the National Assembly Communication Office on March 11, 2024.
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Within the party, there are opinions suggesting that the proportional candidate list be readjusted before the final candidate registration on the 22nd. However, in this case, the process would require the Supreme Council to reject the original plan → re-discussion by the nomination committee → re-approval by the Supreme Council, which would take a considerable amount of time physically, making it unlikely. In fact, the possibility of adjusting the order is slim.

Experts analyzed that the internal strife within the Reform New Party leadership will significantly weaken the party's competitiveness. Political commentator Park Sang-byeong said, "The party's competitiveness has greatly weakened due to the absence of fresh figures, low approval ratings, and issue capture lost to the National Innovation Party," adding, "The disappointment is even greater as key party figures who had hoped for the proportional representation candidates were excluded."

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