[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Liberty Korea Party and the New Conservative Party have been steadily moving forward with integration efforts, but there are still conflicts over the 'Three Principles of Integration' and leadership. The New Conservative Party has made it clear that if the Liberty Korea Party does not accept the Three Principles, there will be no integration.
On the 9th, the National Unity Coalition will hold the second joint meeting for conservative integration at the Korea Press Center Chrysanthemum Hall, with participation from the Liberty Korea Party, the New Conservative Party, and others. From the Liberty Korea Party, Representative Lee Yang-su will officially participate as party leader, and from the New Conservative Party, Representative Jung Byung-guk will attend. Additionally, representatives from the Advancement 4.0 Party Preparatory Committee and the National Voice Party Preparatory Committee will participate, along with conservative civic groups such as the National Unity Coalition and the Barun Society Citizens' Meeting. While the first meeting confirmed the cause of integration, the second meeting will discuss the specific method of forming the Integration Promotion Committee (Tongchuwi). The joint meeting will be dissolved once the formation of the Tongchuwi is completed.
Liberty Korea Party's first-term lawmakers also held a meeting that morning to support party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn in pushing for integration. Representative Lee Yang-su emphasized, "Integration has become a major topic within our party to demonstrate the true meaning of liberal democracy through the power of grand integration. New Conservative Party Representative Yoo Seung-min is approaching grand integration step by step, saying that if only the Three Principles he proposed are accepted, he will not attach any other conditions."
However, despite the ongoing integration discussions, conflicts continue. Earlier, the Liberty Korea Party planned to announce that leader Hwang would accept the Three Principles proposed by the New Conservative Party, but this was canceled due to opposition from pro-Park Geun-hye faction lawmakers. The Three Principles consist of three items: ▲Cross the river of impeachment ▲Move forward as reform conservatives ▲Demolish the old house and build a new one, with the impeachment-related part being problematic. Regarding this, Ha Tae-kyung, co-leader of the New Conservative Party, criticized, "Is it so difficult to say that you accept the Three Principles?" while Shim Jae-chul, floor leader of the Liberty Korea Party, responded, "For integration, let's not even mention the letter 'ㅌ' of impeachment."
The New Conservative Party insists that leader Hwang must show leadership and accept the Three Principles. Co-leader Ha appeared on TBS's "Kim Eo-jun's News Factory" that day, stating, "We are currently stuck on the Three Principles," and emphasized, "If that is not resolved, it cannot proceed." He made it clear that if the Liberty Korea Party does not accept the Three Principles, there will be no integration. He said, "It has been confirmed that there are supporters and opponents of the Three Principles within the Liberty Korea Party, and if leader Hwang's leadership becomes ambiguous, internal conflicts will inevitably grow. If they are dragged along, the Liberty Korea Party will face great difficulties. It could even lead to a split within the party."
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