Former Lawmaker Jang Sung-min to Join People Power Party... "Will Lead Honam and Centrists"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Former lawmaker Jang Sung-min, who served as the Director of the National Situation Room during the Kim Dae-jung administration, officially announced his entry into the People Power Party on the 30th. Formal procedures such as official membership will be carried out soon.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 30th, former lawmaker Jang expressed his intention to join the party during a dinner with Representative Kwon Young-se, the People Power Party's External Cooperation Committee Chair.

After the dinner, Representative Kwon told reporters, "I directly confirmed (former lawmaker Jang's) intention to join," adding, "I will inform the party leadership." He continued, "After People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok and former lawmaker Jang have a formal meeting, there will be a membership ceremony and submission of the membership application. The welcome ceremony may be held together with former Prosecutor General Yoon."

The two, who had already met publicly several times, confirmed Jang's entry into the party with this meeting. The meeting was conducted in a consistently cordial atmosphere. Former lawmaker Jang even referred to the People Power Party as "our party."

Jang said, "Although the People Power Party is a conservative party, I have lived diligently for 30 years in the terrain of democratization movements and centrist reform. I have thought a lot about how much the party can attract policies and visions that can guarantee the centrist reform forces, lead Honam, guide the centrist forces, and present innovative and extraordinary policies that can lead the massive central forces in the metropolitan area."

Additionally, former lawmaker Jang expressed his intention to address his long-standing concerns about inter-Korean unification and other issues within the People Party.

Meanwhile, regarding former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl's joining the People Power Party, Jang said, "It is very desirable that external candidates are gathering like this," adding, "It was good to see the dynamic activation of party politics in this coalition."