Reform New Party, 1st Anniversary Amid Internal Strife... Heo Eun-ah: "We Will Not Remain the Lee Jun-seok Party"

The leadership of the Reform New Party clashed once again on the 13th over the recall of party members concerning Representative Heo Eun-ah, marking the party's first anniversary. Lawmaker Lee Jun-seok's faction called for the total resignation of the current leadership, including Representative Heo, while Heo insisted on maintaining her position, stating she would not remain in the "Lee Jun-seok Party."

At a press conference held at the National Assembly in the afternoon to commemorate the Reform New Party's first anniversary, Representative Heo said, "We will not stay as the Lee Jun-seok Party but will develop into a party that pursues principles and common sense, embodying the qualities of a public party."

Targeting Lee Jun-seok's faction, Representative Heo emphasized, "If rules are changed arbitrarily based on convenience without law and principles, that would be no different from the existing parties we have criticized. We will firmly uphold our principles."

Earlier that morning, before the Supreme Council meeting, the Reform New Party leadership clashed over the recall of Representative Heo. Floor leader Cheon Ha-ram, lawmakers Lee Ju-young, Lee Gi-in, Supreme Council member Jeon Seong-gyun, and former Secretary-General Kim Cheol-geun held a press conference at the National Assembly just before the Supreme Council meeting, declaring the nullification of the dismissal of former Secretary-General Kim and Policy Committee Chair Lee Ju-young, and the normalization of the Supreme Council.

They stated, "We declare the nullification of the dismissal of Secretary-General Kim Cheol-geun and Policy Committee Chair Lee Ju-young, and the normalization of the Supreme Council," adding, "Although specific numbers regarding the recall of party members will soon be announced, we understand that there is a very strong demand from party members for the recall of Representative Heo Eun-ah and Supreme Council member Cho Dae-won."

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Both sides physically clashed even as they entered the Supreme Council meeting room. When Floor Leader Cheon tried to enter with Supreme Council member Lee Gi-in, former Secretary-General Kim, and others carrying the recall request and the demand for an extraordinary party convention, Representative Heo's side, including Secretary-General Jeong Jae-jun and spokesperson Cho Yong-jin, blocked them, leading to a scuffle.

Supreme Council member Lee Gi-in protested, saying, "There is no basis to block a Supreme Council member's entry. This is obstruction of business," and the matter was settled when Representative Heo, who was inside the meeting room, allowed their entry.

Lawmaker Lee Jun-seok posted on Facebook, "Among the approximately 20,000 paying top-tier party members, nearly 75% agreed to the recall system and the holding of an extraordinary party convention. The will of the party members has been sufficiently confirmed, yet now we even see physical force being used to block the procedures," adding, "I don't understand why we can't just follow the procedures."

The Reform New Party's recall system allows for a vote of no confidence in the party leader and elected Supreme Council members. If more than 20% of all top-tier party members and more than 10% of top-tier party members in each city and province sign a petition, and if at least one-third of the top-tier party members vote with a majority in favor, the recalled individual immediately loses their position.

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