The Centrists and Conservatives United 'Mirae Tonghapdang' Officially Launches on the 17th... Abbreviated as 'Tonghapdang' (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The centrist-conservative unified new party is on the verge of launching. On the 14th, the Liberty Korea Party, the New Conservative Party, and Forward for Future 4.0 (Jeonjin Party) held a joint meeting of the entrusted committee and finalized the final discussions for the launch of the unified new party, 'Mirae Tonghapdang' (Future United Party).

From the Liberty Korea Party, Floor Leader Shim Jae-cheol and lawmakers Song Eon-seok and Kim Sang-hoon attended; from the New Conservative Party, co-leaders Oh Shin-hwan and Ji Sang-wook, and lawmaker Jung Byung-guk participated; and from the Jeonjin Party, Supreme Council members Lee Jong-hyuk, Yang Ju-sang, and Lee A-ram were present.

Co-leader Oh said to reporters immediately after the meeting, "All procedures under the Political Parties Act have been completed," and added, "Through the entrusted committee, the party name, platform, party constitution, and party headquarters location have all been finalized."

The party name was confirmed as 'Mirae Tonghapdang' (Future United Party), as decided by the Unified New Party Preparatory Committee (Tongjunwi). The abbreviation was decided as Tonghapdang (United Party), and the platform was finalized as discussed by the Tongjunwi. Key points of the platform include protecting the constitutional order and future values, and expanding the youth autonomy area to encourage free political participation of young people.

The inaugural leadership will maintain the leadership of the Liberty Korea Party as is. Co-leader Oh stated, "According to the adopted party constitution, the inaugural leadership will be reported to the election commission," and explained, "The party leader will be Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, and the floor leader will be Shim Jae-cheol, floor leader of the Liberty Korea Party. Kim Jae-won will serve as the policy committee chairman, and Park Wan-soo as the secretary-general."

The leadership will be based on the eight members of the Liberty Korea Party Supreme Council, with four additional members including Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong and Lee Jun-seok, the young party vision committee chairman of the New Conservative Party. The official launch date is the 17th. Co-leader Oh said, "All integration decisions are complete, and the official launch date will be the day the registration certificate is issued after submission to the election commission," adding, "On Monday the 17th, a full integration rally will be held where all three party forces will gather to greet the public."

Meanwhile, Floor Leader Shim said, "We have overcome big and small differences and finally unified to prevent the collapse of the Republic of Korea and to stop left-wing dictatorship," and urged, "To judge the Moon administration's tyranny, the centrist-right must unite according to the will of the people and make a fresh start to hold the Moon administration accountable."

Lawmaker Jung reflected, "Since last Chuseok, like-minded people have gathered and discussed, and this is the final destination. We have truly walked a difficult path of unification," and added, "Many citizens and the media doubted whether unification would happen, but ultimately, the broad centrist-conservative forces, commanded by our people, have become one today." Ahead of the joint entrusted committee meeting, some civic groups protested against the leadership and the formation of the election committee, expressing their intention to resign. Regarding this, Lawmaker Jung said, "The power of the civic groups that led many citizens in Gwanghwamun was significant," and promised, "We will stand with them until the end."