'Reform New Party' internal conflict, member recall signature drive begins... Heo Eun-ah protests "I do not accept"

Heo: "I Will Not Be Swayed by Any Agitation"

The Reform New Party began collecting signatures for a 'party member recall system' demanding the resignation of Representative Heo Eun-ah on the 17th. Representative Heo opposed the move, stating she could not accept it.

Lee Kyung-sun, chairperson of the Seoul City Party Committee and the lead petitioner for the party member recall, said in an urgent notice sent to party members on the same day, "We have made every effort to resolve the situation amicably, but it seems insufficient to restore the broken trust in the current leadership." She added, "I inform fellow party members that we have no choice but to exercise the right to recall guaranteed by the party constitution."

Heo Eun-ah, Representative of the Reform New Party. Yonhap News

Chairperson Lee is known to be close to Kim Cheol-geun, former secretary-general and an associate of Assemblyman Lee Jun-seok.

Representative Heo dismissed former Secretary-General Kim on the 16th of last month following a clash over party management methods. In response, Assemblyman Lee announced his intention to push for the party member recall system, demanding Representative Heo's resignation.

The Reform New Party's party member recall system allows for the recall of party representatives and elected supreme committee members who have serious reasons preventing them from performing their duties, such as violations of laws, party constitution and regulations, or ethical codes.

If more than 20% of the total top party members and more than 10% of the top party members in each city and provincial party sign, a 'party member recall vote' is held. If at least one-third of the top party members vote and a majority approve, the recalled individual immediately loses their position.

Representative Heo posted on Facebook, "I can never accept this illegal and unjust recall system," and added, "Attempts to shake the representative position simply because of differences in opinion or exercising the authority to appoint and dismiss the secretary-general do not align with the politics the Reform New Party aims for."

She further stated, "Attempts to remove an elected representative as if in a popularity vote are no different from the voting method in 'Squid Game.' I will adhere to principles and procedures and continue party democracy for proper party management according to the party constitution and regulations. I will not be shaken by any agitation."

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