Bareunmirae, Daean, and Pyeonghwa Form 'Democratic Integration Lawmakers' Negotiation Group'

"Preliminary Formation of Negotiation Groups to Promote 3-Party Integration"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the 17th, lawmakers from the Bareunmirae Party, the Alternative New Party, and the Party for Democracy and Peace agreed to form a joint negotiation group based on the merger of the three parties.

Jang Jeong-suk, a lawmaker from the Alternative New Party, told reporters immediately after the joint lawmakers' meeting held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in the afternoon, "Today, the name of our negotiation group was decided as the Democratic Integration Lawmakers' Group," and added, "Yoo Seong-yeop of the Alternative New Party will serve as floor leader, and I will take the position of chief deputy floor leader."

Jang said, "We are forming the negotiation group in advance to promote the merger of the three parties," and "To check the collusion between the Democratic Party of Korea and the United Future Party, we decided to push forward bills for livelihood, fairness, justice, and reform during this extraordinary session of the National Assembly."

Regarding Bareunmirae Party leader Sohn Hak-kyu's withholding of approval for the three-party merger agreement, Jang said, "We are continuing efforts to reach an agreement with Leader Sohn."

Regarding the self-resignation of proportional representation lawmakers from the Bareunmirae Party, Yoo said, "Since there will be close behind-the-scenes talks throughout today, we will have to wait until tomorrow morning to know the outcome."

A total of 21 lawmakers have been listed in the joint negotiation group. By party, they are: from the Bareunmirae Party, Park Joo-sun, Kim Dong-cheol, Joo Seung-yong, Lim Jae-hoon, Chae Yi-bae, Choi Do-ja, and Lee Sang-don; from the Alternative New Party, Choi Kyung-hwan, Cheon Jeong-bae, Park Ji-won, Jang Byeong-wan, Yoo Seong-yeop, Yoon Young-il, Kim Jong-hoe, and Jang Jeong-suk; from the Party for Democracy and Peace, Jeong Dong-young, Jo Bae-sook, Hwang Ju-hong, Kim Kwang-soo, and Park Joo-hyun; and independent lawmaker Lee Yong-ju.