Choi Sung, Mayor of Goyang. Photo by Asia Economy DB
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Former Goyang Mayor Choi Seong is joining the "Awakened Citizens Solidarity Party." This party was formed by supporters of President Moon Jae-in and is on the verge of being established. It aims to participate in the proportional representation parliamentary elections in response to the Future United Party's satellite party but is distancing itself from the Democratic Party of Korea.
On the 29th, former Mayor Choi stated, "The floor leader of the main opposition party appealed for support in the general election to impeach President Moon Jae-in, and senior figures of the main opposition party openly incited rebellion by accusing the president of espionage and treason and calling for his resignation. In the face of this unconstitutional outrage, I am joining the founding of the 'Awakened Citizens Solidarity Party' to protect the constitution and ensure the success of the Moon Jae-in administration."
Former Mayor Choi had participated in the 2017 Democratic Party presidential primary and was running as a preliminary candidate for the Goyang-si Eul district but announced he would withdraw his candidacy.
He said, "I could not just stand by as the satellite party, the Proportional Korea Party (Future Korea Party), was launched. I am stepping down from my candidacy. I have made the decision to join the founding of a proportional democratic party to protect the constitution and ensure the success of the Moon Jae-in administration."
He also hinted at plans to expand the coalition in the future. Former Mayor Choi said, "Together with the preparatory committee members of the Awakened Citizens Solidarity Party, which is completing its founding preparations, and all reformist democratic parties, I will devote all my passion to the upcoming general election for the remarkable development of the Republic of Korea through the success of the Moon Jae-in administration."
He also pledged to actively recruit talents from fields such as youth, women, and people with disabilities. Former Mayor Choi served as an administrative officer at the Blue House under the Kim Dae-jung administration, a presidential advisory policy planning committee member under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, and as a member of the 17th National Assembly.
The Awakened Citizens Solidarity Party formed its founding preparatory committee at the end of last month. In its founding declaration, it stated, "We aim to become a party that gathers the organized power of awakened citizens, transcending political engineering, based on the fundamental spirit of democracy, to build a fair Republic of Korea and a nation that leads the world. We will complete reforms of the prosecution, police, media, and judiciary and move forward to protect our homeland (祖國)."
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