'Geum Tae-seop New Party' Candidate Rejected Says He Won't Engage in Isakjupgi...

Centrist Stance 'Reflection and Exploration' Spokesperson Gwak Daejung
"No One Knew Macron Would Become President Either"
"Star Politicians Will Emerge from the Masses"

There is ongoing debate in the political sphere about whether the third zone can succeed in next April's general election. There have been cases in the past where politicians disappointed with entrenched politics attempted political innovation by founding new parties.

However, successful cases are extremely rare. Many view the third zone as little more than an election vehicle for candidates who lost party nominations. Yet, with the growing number of non-affiliated voters disillusioned with the two major parties, it is also true that expectations for the third zone cannot be easily dismissed.

Former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop is giving a greeting at the Reflection and Exploration Forum for a Different Future held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 13th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Politicians who have launched new parties express discomfort with the skeptical views toward the third zone. On the 27th, Kwak Dae-jung, spokesperson for the former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop's new party preparatory group "Reflection and Exploration for a Different Future" (Seongchal-gwa Moseok), stated in a commentary, "Are there even a few capable people among the current members of the National Assembly?" and criticized, "We have no interest whatsoever in recruiting candidates who lost nominations, so just focus on managing your own house."

This means they have no intention of expanding their ranks through so-called 'gleaning' by recruiting nomination losers to contest the election. In a radio interview with SBS on the 29th, Kwak explained the political stance of Reflection and Exploration, saying, "What we currently aim for is to create a synergy effect and a combining effect between the center-left and center-right on economic and social issues."

He added, "In Germany, if politics tends to lean slightly left, the open cabinet takes a right stance, and if it tends to lean right, it takes a left stance, playing the role of a central center. It seems that our country has lacked a party that plays a central role," and explained, "One of the ideal models we envision is a party that can play a central role through policy."

Regarding the criticism that there is a lack of so-called 'star politicians' or symbolic figures, Kwak said, "We don't really intend to promote a political star in the way the established political circles have done."

He emphasized, "Before La R?publique En Marche promoted Emmanuel Macron, who knew who Macron was? But eventually, by the will of the people, this person became president in just a few months. Star politicians will emerge naturally among the public as time goes on."