Pro-Chin Yoon Study Group 'Gukmin Gonggam' Launched... 71 Participants Showcasing 'Three Achievements'

On the 7th, attendees including Lee Cheol-gyu, Jang Je-won, Ahn Cheol-soo, and Kwon Seong-dong, members of the People Power Party's study group 'National Sympathy,' are taking a commemorative photo at the National Assembly. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Geum Bo-ryeong] The study group 'Gukmin Gonggam,' led by pro-Yoon (친윤) faction members within the People Power Party, was launched on the 7th. Gukmin Gonggam is the largest faction within the party, with 65 out of 117 ruling party lawmakers participating. The meeting on this day resembled a 'mini parliamentary meeting' as a large number of attendees ranged from party leadership candidates to senior lawmakers. Nevertheless, they drew a clear line against the perception of it being a 'factional meeting.'

At the first meeting of 'Freedom Power Gukmin Gonggam Protecting the Community,' held on the morning of the 7th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, 71 People Power Party lawmakers attended. Among them were Kim Ki-hyun and Ahn Cheol-soo, candidates for party leader, as well as Kwon Seong-dong and Jang Je-won, known as the 'original Yoon core faction' members. Additionally, senior lawmakers with three or more terms such as Cho Hae-jin, Park Dae-chul, and Ha Tae-kyung were present. The venue was filled as local party chairpersons outside the National Assembly and journalists also gathered. Although there had been rumors of discord between Kwon and Jang regarding the predecessor group 'Mindeulle' of Gukmin Gonggam, they shook hands at the event.

Kim Hyung-seok, honorary professor at Yonsei University, who spoke at the event, delivered a speech titled 'Politics Asks Philosophy - The Path of Liberal Democracy.' Born in 1920 in Pyongyang, Professor Kim intertwined his life and political history to emphasize 'liberal democracy.' He explained, "Making liberal democracy succeed is the happiness of the Republic of Korea and the only way to elevate Korea to a proud nation," adding, "We must solve very basic everyday issues such as telling people 'Do not be sycophants' and 'Do not be divisive' to bring hope."

Professor Kim also stated, "If liberal democracy moves in this direction, coexistence is possible. Overcoming the current situation so that left and right remain as conservative and progressive will create a greater future," and "We need to understand how world history has flowed and set the direction for what the rule of law means."

Attendees drew a line against the view that the event was a 'factional meeting.' Lawmaker Jang said, "Today’s launch overcame criticisms that it was a factional meeting," and questioned, "Lawmakers sat passionately until the end studying; how can this be a factional meeting?" Lee Cheol-gyu, the meeting’s general secretary, also said in his greeting, "This is a purely study group," and "We will never hold factional meetings as some have worried."