"10 More Incumbent Lawmakers to Join the United Future Party"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hye-min] Won Yu-cheol, leader of the Future Korea Party, said on the 23rd regarding Yoon Joo-kyung, former director of the Independence Hall, securing the number 1 spot on the proportional representation list, "I saw her as a messenger who embodies the subjectivity and patriotism of the Republic of Korea," and added, "I will do my best to get up to number 25 elected in this general election."
After the proportional representation list was approved by the Supreme Council that afternoon, Leader Won told reporters, "The biggest task was to recommend candidates that the public would be pleased with," explaining his position.
The Future Korea Party finalized the proportional representation list through the party's nomination management committee meeting, voter panel voting, and Supreme Council approval. Former Minister Yoon was selected as number 1, and former Korea Financial Research Institute President Yoon Chang-hyun was placed at number 2. Numbers 3 and 4 were confirmed as Han Mu-kyung, former president of the Korea Women Entrepreneurs Association, and Lee Jong-sung, former secretary-general of the Korea Disabled Persons Association. Most candidates whose rankings rose through readjustment were talents recruited during the Liberty Korea Party era.
Cho Soo-jin, former Dong-A Ilbo editorial writer originally assigned number 1, was moved to number 5, and Kim Ye-ji, a visually impaired pianist recruited under Han Seon-kyo’s leadership, dropped from number 3 to number 11. However, it is evaluated that she still secured a winning position. Additionally, numbers 6 to 8 were assigned to Cho Tae-yong, former first deputy minister of Foreign Affairs, Jeong Kyung-hee, former National History Compilation Committee member, and Shin Won-sik, former deputy chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, respectively.
Leader Won explained that the significant changes from the previous list were made considering "people with insight into economics and theoretical economics, successful individuals, women, and the order of economy and foreign security." When asked if the adjustment of rankings focused on accommodating recruited talents, he denied, saying, "I never thought about replacing candidates by setting a ratio." He emphasized, "It was only based on the judgment that the public would be satisfied and that those elected would be able to serve sufficiently in the National Assembly."
Regarding criticism that the list reflected the intentions of Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, Leader Won added, "Our concern is thoroughly from the public’s perspective," and "I cannot acknowledge that it was done by anyone else." When asked if there were regrettable talents pushed beyond the winning positions after number 20, he stated, "More than that, our determination is to do our best so that the Future Korea Party can run a good campaign and get up to number 25 elected."
He emphasized about the merger with the United Future Party after the general election, "We are brother parties and share the same goals."
Leader Won also revealed that more United Future Party lawmakers will switch their party affiliation to the Future Korea Party. The number of incumbent lawmakers affects the order on the ballot. He said, "I have been contacted directly. I expect about ten lawmakers to share the same intention," adding, "There are district lawmakers who have declared they will not run and proportional representation lawmakers as well."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
