Bareunmirae, Daean, and Pyeonghwa Unite as 'Minshengdang'... "We Will Win the General Election"

Co-CEOs Kim Jeong-hwa, Yoo Seong-yeop, Park Juhyun
Son Hak-kyu: "We Will Open a New Era for the Republic of Korea"
Choi Kyung-hwan: "Major Parties Ignore the People's Voice"
Jung Dong-young: "Political Structure Reform Is a Historic Mission"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] The three parties based in Honam?the Bareunmirae Party, the Alternative New Party, and the Party for Democracy and Peace?declared their merger on the 24th and finalized the new party name as Minsaeng Party.

The leaders of the three parties and the heads of the integration promotion committees held a joint meeting of the entrusted organizations at the National Assembly on the same day and approved the merger. The leadership of the Minsaeng Party will be jointly led by spokesperson Kim Jeong-hwa from the Bareunmirae Party, lawmaker Yoo Seong-yeop from the Alternative New Party, and lawmaker Park Ju-hyun from the Party for Democracy and Peace. Previously, the three-party integration promotion meeting decided to elect three co-representatives, each recommended by one party leader, and to register the co-representative recommended by the Bareunmirae Party as the representative of the unified party with the Central Election Commission.

Co-representative Kim Jeong-hwa said, “Today, we have come together again to create political change in preparation for a rapidly changing future based on an agreement for a multi-party system,” adding, “Through regional integration and generational change, we will uphold the spirit of moderate reform to the end and win the general election.”

Co-representative Kim also stated, “The Minsaeng Party will sprout new growth in the third zone firmly maintained by Bareunmirae Party leader Sohn Hak-kyu,” and “We will work together with all forces advocating practical moderate politics.”

Co-representative Yoo Seong-yeop said, “We have repeatedly experienced division and caused disappointment to many citizens, receiving much criticism,” adding, “Although it was very difficult, we have achieved the three-party merger today, and we deeply reflect on and apologize for the disappointment we have caused to the people.”

Co-representative Yoo added, “From now on, we will unite and harmonize more than ever to become a party that can meet the expectations of the people, ultimately earning their choice and winning as the first party in the April 15 general election.”

Co-representative Park Ju-hyun said, “The people long for a capable, sincere, and livelihood-focused third force,” and “From now on, we will stand at the forefront of solving problems with pride as the legitimate heir of the traditional democratic reform forces, focusing solely on livelihood.”

Co-representative Park criticized, “The United Future Party is nothing but a party of past divisions. I consider it a party not worth mentioning,” and “The Democratic Party, as the ruling party, is losing trust as it fails to show tangible reform achievements to the people.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Bareunmirae Party leader Sohn Hak-kyu emphasized in the merger declaration, “Now, the centrist unified party takes its first step amid the support of the people,” adding, “We will carry the national desire for a new Republic of Korea in our hearts and move forward unwaveringly.”

Leader Sohn said, “We will break the chains of old-fashioned ideological politics and regionalism and walk hand in hand on the path of pragmatic centrist reform politics,” adding, “With the united power of the people, we will open a new era for the Republic of Korea.”

Alternative New Party leader Choi Kyung-hwan criticized, “The ruling party’s arrogance and obstinacy have reached their peak, and the reactionary conservative forces have regrouped as the ‘re-impeachment party,’” adding, “The two major parties are blinded by power struggles and ignoring the desperate voices of our people at a crossroads of survival.”

Party for Democracy and Peace leader Chung Dong-young said, “Political structural reform for a new future of the Republic of Korea is a historic mission given to the centrist unified party,” and “The unified party pledges before the people to prioritize livelihood and the economy through pragmatic politics, firmly protect national interests and security, and advance peace on the Korean Peninsula.”