[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Innovation Integration Promotion Committee (IIPC), which is promoting centrist-conservative integration, has requested the former lawmakers Kim Young-hwan and Moon Byung-ho, who were classified as part of the Ahn Cheol-soo faction, to join the IIPC. They also urged them to board the integration train, saying that if there are no major differences in the big picture, they should join hands.
On the 29th, Park Hyung-joon, chairman of the IIPC, held a press conference at a cafe in Yeouido and stated, "To bring the train that has gone off the normal track back to normal, we must go beyond small differences and move toward a greater Korea." Attending the event were former lawmakers Kim and Moon, Chairman Park, Professor Kim Geun-sik of Gyeongnam National University, who is classified as part of the Ahn Cheol-soo faction, and Jang Sung-chul, secretary of the National Future Forum.
On that day, Chairman Park said, "I believe that having the two respected gentlemen with us will further illuminate the purpose our new party pursues," adding, "Although the two served in different camps from me, they have made great efforts with the most open minds in our politics for the national unity of Korea." Former lawmakers Kim and Moon were part of the Ahn Cheol-soo faction when they joined the People's Party at its launch in 2016. However, the side of former Bareunmirae Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo drew a line, stating, "The activities of the IIPC are based on the individual political convictions of the participants and are unrelated to former lawmaker Ahn's political stance."
Former lawmaker Kim emphasized, "To prevent the ruling party's unilateral dominance and to maintain balanced and checked democracy, the opposition's victory in this general election is absolutely necessary," adding, "The integrated new party should become a broader and more influential national unity party that includes not only conservative integration but also rational progressives and centrist reform forces." This is interpreted as a call to expand the scope of integration beyond conservatives to centrists as well.
Kim said, "Our country is divided into conservatives and progressives, fighting to the death, but in reality, the Korean Party is not truly conservative, nor is the Democratic Party truly progressive," adding, "The integrated new party should not become a 'reincarnation of the Korean Party,' nor should its goal be limited to an anti-Moon coalition." To create a party that the future generation participates in and supports, it must embody reform values beyond just an anti-Moon coalition. He stated, "It is right for rational and reform-minded new figures to be positioned at the forefront of the party when young people and high school students look at it," and added, "I will share these thoughts with Chairman Park and listen carefully."
Former lawmaker Moon emphasized, "Reform must be carried out by 'clean hands,' not by those who are the target of reform," adding, "To achieve the goal of judgment, more emphasis must be placed on innovation and progressive values, and the forces pursuing those values must take center stage." He continued, "I have not yet joined the IIPC; this was a meeting to hear Chairman Park's proposal for participation," and said, "I will decide on joining after giving it a little more thought."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
