First Party Meeting... Jeong Byeong-guk Expresses Dissatisfaction Over Separately Summoning Saebosu Party, etc.
Hankook Party Members Say "That's Right" and Greet Each Other Instead
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hye-min] A subtle power struggle broke out among lawmakers at the first caucus meeting held since the launch of the United Future Party. When the Liberty Korea Party side called the New Conservative Party lawmakers and Rep. Lee Eon-ju separately to the front to greet them, Rep. Chung Byeong-guk took offense.
The caucus held on the 18th was arranged as a meet-and-greet for lawmakers who joined the United Future Party, including those from the Liberty Korea Party, the New Conservative Party, and Rep. Lee Eon-ju of Forward to the Future 4.0. From the New Conservative Party, Reps. Chung Byeong-guk, Oh Shin-hwan, Lee Hye-hoon, and Yoo Ui-dong attended, along with Rep. Lee and Supreme Council member Kim Young-hwan.
The seats for the New Conservative Party lawmakers and Rep. Lee were arranged separately in the front row. As the meeting began, Rep. Min Kyung-wook, who was presiding, said, "I will hear greetings from the lawmakers and Supreme Council members who have joined this great unification history," calling them forward to greet the assembly.
Among them, Rep. Chung, who remained seated, reluctantly came forward after repeated requests and expressed his dissatisfaction. He said, "The United Future Party is about participating together. Those who came forward are not newcomers but are part of the team," adding, "I deeply regret that such separate seating was arranged." He continued, "Why make separate seats and why should we have to greet separately? The party leadership should not proceed like this," he lamented.
When Rep. Chung said, "We made this together. If we are to greet, it should be done all together," the lawmakers, who had been frozen for a moment, responded with agreement and applause.
Floor leader Shim Jae-cheol, sensing the chilly atmosphere after Rep. Chung’s remarks, said, "Let's all greet together. Let's have a mutual introduction," and asked everyone to stand. Then, Liberty Korea Party lawmakers also stood and applauded together with the New Conservative Party lawmakers and Rep. Lee, easing the mood. Except for Supreme Council member Kim, who volunteered to greet, others skipped the greetings.
Later, party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn, who entered, said, "I was on my way back after donating blood due to a shortage caused by the Wuhan pneumonia," and emphasized, "Parties that were in different places have gathered here today. After a long and painful process, unification has been achieved, and the new party leadership will do its best to carry on this emotion and joy."
In particular, he mentioned lawmakers who declared they would not run for re-election one by one, expressing gratitude by saying, "The beautiful and courageous decision and dedication of these innovators who chose not to run will lead our party to a bright future."
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