'Stop Extreme Politics'... 'Third Zone' Rises, Political Veterans Step Forward

Geum Tae-seop "The Biggest Problem in Our Politics Is Division"
Kim Hyung-o "The Current Issue Is Extreme Politics"

As the confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties escalates to extremes, political movements to resolve this are becoming active. The third-party new political group 'Saeroun Seontaek' (New Choice), led by former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop, has advocated 'republicanism' that encompasses both progressives and conservatives, while 11 senior political figures have stepped forward to arrange a meeting between Kim Gi-hyeon, leader of the People Power Party, and Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.

On the 23rd, former lawmaker Geum said on MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that "the biggest problem in our politics is dividing into factions and demonizing the other side, fostering hostility," adding, "The reason for the new party's existence is to provide a new choice that reasonable and sensible people can select."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Saeroun Seontaek plans to hold its founding initiator meeting on the 19th of next month and begin full-scale activities. Its goal is to break the political landscape divided between conservatives and progressives and secure 30 seats mainly in the metropolitan area.

When asked by the host about the party's support base, he said, "What we have been considering and want to include is republicanism. It is necessary to pursue some kind of integration as a community and to work together for the common good," adding, "Asking whether we belong to progressive, conservative, or moderate camps is really an outdated standard."

Some within the ruling party speculate that Saeroun Seontaek could absorb conservative supporters in the metropolitan area. However, former lawmaker Geum said, "Since the general election is a few months away, both sides (People Power Party and Democratic Party) are exaggerating a bit," and added, "We believe that rational and thoughtful voters, whether conservative or progressive, can support our party from both sides. We do not think that many or few supporters from any particular existing party will come."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

It is not only the third-party groups that have stepped up to resolve extreme politics. Senior political figures have also rolled up their sleeves to mediate reconciliation between the ruling and opposition parties. The 'March Association,' formed by 11 senior figures from both sides including Shin Young-kyun, senior advisor of the People Power Party; Kwon No-gap, senior advisor of the Democratic Party; Jeong Dae-cheol, chairman of the Constitutional Association; and former National Assembly Speakers Kim Won-ki, Im Chae-jung, Kim Hyung-o, Park Hee-tae, Kang Chang-hee, Chung Ui-hwa, Chung Sye-kyun, and Moon Hee-sang, held a luncheon on the 21st and decided to arrange a meeting between the party leaders.

Former National Assembly Speaker Kim Hyung-o expressed concern on KBS's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs,' saying, "The current problem is extreme politics. Political polarization has never been this severe," and added, "It's no longer just 'your side or my side,' but 'if you're not on my side, you're the enemy.' Even in war, this should not happen, but politics is now being conducted like a war."

Currently, Kim Gi-hyeon's side appears open to the meeting. Former Speaker Kim said, "I have contacted Kim's side, and as before, their attitude is open, so I received a message that they will attend," adding, "However, we are still waiting for a response from Lee's side." Lee Jae-myung is being contacted directly by Jeong Dae-cheol, chairman of the Constitutional Association.