Jo Jeonghun Joins People Power Party... Sidae Jeonhwan Founders Say "Betraying Supporters"

Lee Won-jae, Former Co-Leader of Sidae Jeonhwan, Facebook Post
"The Values of Sidae Jeonhwan Will Not Be Absorbed by the Democratic Party"

Assemblyman Jo Jeong-hoon of the Transition Era party held a pledge ceremony with the People Power Party, officially formalizing their alliance, while figures who led the founding of Transition Era stated that they "oppose the decision of Transition Era to merge with the People Power Party."

According to a Facebook post by former co-representative of Transition Era, Lee Won-jae, on the 21st, "Those who were with Transition Era" said regarding the push for a merger between the People Power Party and Transition Era, "We firmly oppose this wrong decision," adding, "A party that makes such a decision is no longer the party we created."

Earlier that day, Assemblyman Jo joined the People Power Party at a pledge ceremony held at the Gomdallae Cultural Welfare Center in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. Jo said, "It was not an easy decision. It was also a difficult decision for all comrades who founded Transition Era over the past four years and have been with us until now."

Saeje Jeonhwan, a member of the National Assembly who declared the merger with the People Power Party, is speaking at the 'People Power Party Accompaniment Pledge Ceremony' held at Gomdallae Cultural Welfare Center in Gangseo-gu, Seoul on the 21st. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Assemblyman Jo stated, "In 2023, South Korea stands at a precarious crossroads, whether to move forward or to collapse as it is, a time of crisis," and added, "Ultimately, we decided to contribute our strength to overcome this crisis together through the innovation of a capable and experienced party." He also said, "I will accept criticism directed at me," and "If that can open the path to unity, I will gladly endure it."

Those who participated in the founding of Transition Era said, "There may have been a judgment that there was no place for Transition Era within progressive politics. We understand the current leadership’s concerns that led to this conclusion," but raised their voices, saying, "However, the reason we first gathered was not merely to survive. The Transition Era we created is not a party that betrays its purpose for survival."

They continued, "We declare this with the pain of cutting off flesh and blood. A party absorbed into the People Power Party is not the Transition Era we created," and pointed out, "Above all, this is an act that does not align with the Transition Era platform, which advocated for basic income and digital transformation and shouted to 'create a society without fear.'"

They said, "The values of Transition Era will not be absorbed into the People Power Party," and added, "We will remain in civil society, living and breathing with everyday people, waiting for the time of transition that will come again someday."