Yoo Seung-min: "Is Merging the Only Winning Strategy? Election Alliances Are Also an Option"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hye-min] Yoo Seung-min, Chairman of the Conservative Reconstruction Committee of the New Conservative Party, hinted for the first time on the 22nd at the possibility of an electoral alliance and candidate unification with the Liberty Korea Party.

After visiting and encouraging the 25th Army Division New Recruit Training Battalion located in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, Chairman Yoo told reporters, "When looking at the conservatives as a whole, we need to deeply consider whether merging parties is the only winning strategy for the general election."

He said, "Regarding the ruling party and its second faction, namely the Democratic Party, the Justice Party, the Alternative New Party, and the Bareunmirae Party after our emergence, there is no talk of forming parties (even after the election law revision). On the conservative side as well, regardless of our own interests, it is necessary to seriously consider whether merging after the election law passes is a winning strategy."

When asked if an electoral alliance would be possible if integration does not occur, Chairman Yoo replied, "If we look at integration broadly, electoral alliances and candidate unifications are certainly options."

However, he added, "Since we have already engaged in dialogue, as Chairman of the Conservative Reconstruction Committee, I intend to conduct sincere and in-depth consultations with the two parties, and I don't think the talks will take long. If a conclusion is reached soon, it will be shared with each party, and each party will decide what choice to make regarding integration."

Regarding the possibility of a meeting with Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, right after the Lunar New Year holiday, Chairman Yoo said, "I think it is meaningful to meet after sufficient consultations between the two parties. Through one-on-one talks, I plan to have frank discussions with Leader Hwang, and then return to each party to explain the results to party members. It is not a matter of deciding on a specific date in February or January."

He reiterated that if Leader Hwang continues to perceive the Our Republican Party as a target for integration, unification with the New Conservative Party will be difficult.

Chairman Yoo explained, "When I said 'let's cross the river of impeachment,' I meant recognizing impeachment as history and uniting the forces that will move forward into the future. Otherwise, voices of division will continue to arise from within, so to eliminate such conflicts, we said let's all cross the river of impeachment together."

He said, "The Our Republican Party has continuously voiced opposition to that. Therefore, I believe a one-on-one consultative body is necessary. We want to confirm what the true intentions of Leader Hwang and the Liberty Korea Party are and whether they can clearly disclose that to the public. From that perspective, we cannot accept the idea that the Our Republican Party can also participate."