An "We will join hands with any party that agrees with the proposal we made"
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] The atmosphere for a 'opposition alliance' between the United Future Party and the People’s Party is taking shape. Not only are the two parties considering alliances on specific issues, but the United Future Party has even mentioned the possibility of forming a joint negotiation group with the Future Korea Party and the People’s Party. However, the People’s Party holds a negative stance regarding the formation of such a negotiation group.
On the afternoon of the 6th, Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, responded to a question on KBS Radio about whether there is an intention to ally or unite with the United Future Party by stating, "In order to implement the policies (proposed by the People’s Party), it is the operational principle of the National Assembly to join hands with any party that agrees."
Ahn said, "If the ruling party agrees with our proposals, we join hands with the ruling party; if the opposition agrees, we join hands with the opposition to pass them. Isn’t that the normal way?" He added, "We are not following anyone." He further emphasized, "The view that we must ally 100% exclusively with either the ruling or opposition party is incorrect."
The idea of forming a joint negotiation group was first brought up by the United Future Party. On the morning of the same day, Lee Jun-seok, a Supreme Council member of the United Future Party, said on CBS Radio, "Ahn’s proposal to hold a joint opposition evaluation meeting is the first declaration that the People’s Party will be placed within the opposition," and added, "I had mentioned the possibility of independent lawmakers (formerly of the United Future Party) joining the Korea Party, but separately, the possibility of the People’s Party forming a joint negotiation group is increasing."
Earlier, Ahn had proposed a joint opposition general election evaluation meeting. On the 4th, Ahn said, "While each pursues its own politics, through a joint general election evaluation meeting, we should share the era’s demands and innovation tasks given to the opposition and engage in innovation competition together," adding, "Simple past discussions of unification cannot solve the problems nor expand the opposition’s overall share. Now, we need the resolve to discard everything and start anew from a blank slate."
In the April 15 general election, the Korea Party, a satellite party for proportional representation of the United Future Party, had 19 members elected. If the Korea Party and the People’s Party unite, they can secure the status of a negotiation group. In this case, the opposition can increase its voice in the 21st National Assembly’s organization, including the distribution of the deputy speaker and standing committee chair positions, as well as in the review of bills and the composition of the recommendation committee for the head of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials.
However, the People’s Party clearly drew a line regarding the formation of a joint negotiation group. On the 7th, Ahn Hye-jin, spokesperson for the People’s Party, told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "We have no intention of arbitrarily forming a negotiation group or allying for any particular purpose," and added, "If anyone shares our party’s intentions, we can work together."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
