[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Ha Tae-kyung, the responsible representative of the New Conservative Party, stated on the 20th that he urged the Liberty Korea Party to "agree to form a consultative body for party-to-party integration by the end of the day," warning that otherwise, negotiations would be halted. This is a de facto final ultimatum. In particular, he demanded active movement from the Liberty Korea Party, saying that Representative Hwang Kyo-ahn should directly announce the formation of the consultative body.
At the New Conservative Party leadership meeting held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building that day, Ha said in his opening remarks, "The Liberty Korea Party's insistence on integration while refusing the consultative body is not genuine integration but fake integration."
He added, "The New Conservative Party requested a two-party integration consultative body with the Liberty Korea Party for conservative innovation and reconstruction capable of judging the Moon administration, but the Liberty Korea Party refuses to engage in dialogue despite calling for integration," emphasizing, "Refusing the consultative body contradicts the third principle of conservative reconstruction, 'Let's tear down the old house and build a new one,' which Representative Hwang Kyo-ahn agreed to."
Ha stated, "There are legal obligations to fulfill for the new party merger. If the Liberty Korea Party continues to refuse the two-party consultative body by today, we will stop the fake integration negotiations and pursue the path of self-reliance," adding, "Even if that path leads to the brink of death, it is the only hope to create a new conservative party."
He came outside during the leadership meeting to meet with reporters and said, "If the Liberty Korea Party does not express willingness to accept the consultative body by today, I believe dialogue with the Liberty Korea Party will be practically meaningless from tomorrow," and "If Representative Hwang does not give an official response directly, we will consider it a refusal."
Meanwhile, on the same day, Representative Ji Sang-wook of the New Conservative Party resigned from his position as a member of the Innovation Integration Promotion Committee (Hyuktongwi) for conservative integration. Regarding this, Ha said, "(Representative Jeong Un-cheon) participates today according to his free will," and "This is not an internal party conflict, and we respect Representative Ji's opinion."
Regarding Chairman Park Hyung-joon's remark that "Those who get off the integration train will be the ones harmed," Ha emphasized, "If the two-party consultative body is refused, it means the Liberty Korea Party got off the integration train first," and "There are various legal issues for integration, but the Liberty Korea Party's stance is to only talk without taking action."
Regarding former People's Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo, who arrived in Korea the previous day, Ha said, "I have nothing special to say," and emphasized that he has no intention to make contact. However, he stated that if Ahn's side initiates contact, he is willing to engage in dialogue.
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