'Future Grand Alliance' Preparatory Committee Launched: United Voices for a "Third Zone Coalition"

Co-CEOs Wonwook Lee, Jongmin Kim, Eungcheon Jo, Wonseok Park, Taegun Jeong
Nakyeon Lee, Junseok Lee, Hyangja Yang... 'Third Zone Keymen' All Assembled
"Leaving Political Hooliganism Behind... Opening an Era of Political Restoration"

The 'Future Grand Alliance' led by the reformist group 'Principles and Common Sense' members who left the Democratic Party of Korea has taken the first step toward founding a new party. The 'key men' forming the third-zone new party forces gathered and voiced support for breaking the political structure monopolized by the two major parties.

The Future Grand Alliance held its inaugural meeting and the launch ceremony of the Central Party Founding Preparation Committee at the National Assembly Members' Office Building around 11 a.m. on the 14th. The Future Grand Alliance is a new party centered on lawmakers Lee Won-wook, Kim Jong-min, and Cho Eung-cheon, who left the Democratic Party, along with the political innovation forum 'With You.' From the With You side, former Justice Party lawmaker Park Won-seok and former Hannara Party (predecessor of the People Power Party) lawmaker Jeong Tae-geun joined.

At the launch ceremony of the Future Grand Alliance (tentative name) Preparatory Committee held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 14th, Co-Chairman Jo Eung-cheon is delivering a welcome speech. From left to right: Kim Jong-min, Park Won-seok, Jo Eung-cheon, Lee Won-wook, Jeong Tae-geun, Co-Chairmen.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The event was attended by former leader Lee Nak-yeon, Lee Jun-seok, chairman of the Reform New Party's Policy Committee, Yang Hyang-ja, representative of Hope of Korea, Geum Tae-seop, co-representative of New Choice, and other third-zone new party forces. In addition, more than 150 people gathered, including former lawmaker Choi Un-yeol, former mayor of Goyang Choi Sung, Ewha Womans University Graduate School of International Studies professor and former Blue House press secretary under the Participatory Government Cho Gi-sook, and founding members of the Future Grand Alliance.

At the founding meeting, the Future Grand Alliance decided on the party name as 'Future Grand Alliance' and the abbreviation as 'Future Alliance.' They also appointed five co-representatives: lawmakers Lee Won-wook, Kim Jong-min, Cho Eung-cheon, and former lawmakers Park Won-seok and Jeong Tae-geun. The legal representative to be registered with the election commission was designated as lawmaker Cho Eung-cheon, Kim Jong-min was appointed floor leader, Lee Won-wook as secretary-general, and former lawmaker Park Won-seok as chief spokesperson.

"Beyond Conflict, Together"... Launch of Future Grand Alliance Founding Committee

At the launch ceremony of the Future Grand Alliance (tentative name) Preparatory Committee held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 14th, joint promotion committee chairs Kim Jong-min (from left), Park Won-seok, Cho Eung-cheon, Lee Won-seok, and Jung Tae-geun raised their clasped hands.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The five co-representatives of the Future Grand Alliance shouted the slogan "A country beyond conflict, together" as they expressed their determination to found the party.

Lawmaker Cho emphasized, "There is anxiety about how difficult the road ahead will be, but if we work hard, we can succeed." He continued, "Everyone says they will do politics for the people, but they all forget once it starts," pointing out, "After the election, they say they will protect the Yoon Seok-yeol government and Lee Jae-myung, not the people." He then insisted, "Therefore, we will break the entrenched two-party politics, so please help us."

Former lawmaker Park said, "I do not hate both major parties, nor do I hate President Yoon Seok-yeol or leader Lee Jae-myung," adding, "However, there is a loud voice criticizing the miserable state of Korea where partner politics?politics that coexist and compete together to make the community better?is missing, not just pretending not to coexist." He appealed, "Please join us in opening an era of political restoration."

Lawmaker Lee Won-wook directly criticized, "The endless conflict between the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties is dividing the people." He added, "I call those who support and produce this from below 'political hooligans,' a strong fandom," criticizing them. Lee emphasized, "Those here are moderate fandoms. We will open new politics together with these healthy fandoms."

Full Support from Third-Zone Forces... "The Day Political Cooperation Began"

Former leader of the Democratic Party Lee Nak-yeon is delivering a congratulatory speech at the launch ceremony of the Future Grand Alliance (tentative name) Preparatory Committee held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 14th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In congratulatory speeches by key third-zone figures, a consensus on 'solidarity' was evident. Former leader Lee Nak-yeon, who is promoting the founding of the new party New Future, strongly stated, "I firmly believe today will be recorded as the day political cooperation began in South Korean political history."

Chairman Lee Jun-seok compared the hometown specialties of major third-zone figures one by one, saying, "They are the ingredients needed for bibimbap." He added, "I hope we build a big house more splendid than a tent that can block rain and wind," emphasizing, "We must pledge to work together at least until the next presidential election in front of the people. If this is perceived as a 'fly-by-night' group, I have no intention of participating in such an organization."

Representative Yang Hyang-ja stressed, "The most important thing is values and vision," urging, "We must respond to the people's desire and hope to eliminate the harms of the two major parties by combining our strength in this general election." Co-representative Geum Tae-seop added, "Both the Democratic Party and the People Power Party have engaged in politics attacking each other without admitting their own faults," and said, "What voters expect is to change such behavior."

Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon (left) and Jo Eung-cheon, co-chairman of the Future Grand Alliance (provisional name), are talking at the launch ceremony of the Future Grand Alliance (provisional name) Preparatory Committee held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 14th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, chief spokesperson Park Won-seok introduced the party officials to reporters after the event, explaining, "Professor Son San, who hosted the event, will serve as deputy secretary-general, and lawmaker Cho Eung-cheon will oversee and be responsible for party recruitment." He added, "The 4.10 General Election Planning Team preparing for the general election will be formed soon," and "Lawmaker Kim Jong-min will be in charge of third-zone integration and cooperation, and lawmaker Jeong Tae-geun will handle the party's policies and vision."

The party organization will operate with three committees: the Party Constitution and Regulations Committee, Future Vision Committee, and General Election Committee; five bureaus: General Affairs Bureau, Organization Bureau, Strategic Planning Bureau, etc.; and two offices including the Policy Office. Regular meetings will be held every Tuesday and Friday at 9 a.m., and the Environmental Operations Committee will meet every Monday and Thursday at 9 a.m. going forward.