The Reform Committee Expands Integration from Conservatives to Centrists... Ahn Draws a Line

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Innovation Integration Promotion Committee (IIPC), which is promoting centrist-conservative integration, has expanded its centrist outreach by bringing former lawmakers Kim Young-hwan and Moon Byung-ho, who were classified as part of the Ahn Cheol-soo faction, into the committee, following the recruitment of Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong. IIPC Chairman Park Hyung-joon called for uniting the centrist conservatives, saying, "If there is no major difference in the big picture, let's join hands," but Ahn Cheol-soo, the centrist core and former Bareunmirae Party lawmaker, distanced himself from the meeting, stating it was unrelated to his political stance.

On the 29th, Chairman Park held a press conference at a cafe in Yeouido and said, "To bring the train of the Republic of Korea, which has gone off the normal track, back to normal, we must go beyond small differences and move toward a greater Korea." He added, "I believe that having two respected individuals join us will further illuminate the purpose our new party pursues," and evaluated, "Although they have been active in different political camps from me, they have shown the most open minds in our politics and have made great efforts for national unity of the Korean people."

The event was attended by former lawmakers Kim and Moon, Chairman Park, Kim Geun-sik, a professor at Gyeongnam National University classified as part of the Ahn Cheol-soo faction, and Jang Seong-chul, secretary of the National Future Forum. Kim and Moon were classified as part of the Ahn Cheol-soo faction, having participated together in the founding of the People's Party in 2016. However, the side of former Bareunmirae Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo stated, "The activities of the IIPC are based on the individual political convictions of the participants and are unrelated to Ahn's political stance," and requested, "Please refrain from using terms such as 'meeting with the Ahn Cheol-soo faction' in reports."

Former lawmaker Kim expressed, "There is regret and sadness that Ahn was not able to join us today," but left a lingering note, saying, "Considering various symbolic meanings, I think the two of us will actively work to continue participating in the integrated new party." He added, "For Ahn to participate as well, the party must fundamentally launch as a new party that innovates," and said, "I was reassured because the new party contains more innovative content than expected, and I hope Chairman Park plays an important role in the founding process."

Kim also 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 essential," and stressed, "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.

Former lawmaker Moon also emphasized innovation, saying, "The integrated new party must not become the Saenuri Party again," and "The integrated new party should pursue new meanings and new values, and the public should feel the new progress tangibly." The National Future Forum, a centrist-conservative force led by the two, agreed to attend the IIPC National Report Meeting scheduled for the 31st. Secretary Jang said, "The National Future Forum will actively discuss participation in the centrist-conservative integrated new party, centered on former People's Party out-of-parliament regional chairpersons who share the same will, and will unite to announce a joint opinion."