Third-Party Big Tent 'Bbiggeok'... Why Did the Opposition New Parties Split?

'Saeroun Mirae' Joint Party Formation... Lee Won-wook and Jo Eung-cheon Depart
Causes Cited Include Opposition New Party's Prior Integration and Power Struggle
"Integration Willingness Remains"... Lee Nak-yeon "Let's Realize the Cause"

Concerns are emerging over potential setbacks to the 'Big Tent' due to a power struggle among the Shindang faction. The 'Future Coalition' and 'New Future,' both formed by defectors from the Democratic Party of Korea, attempted a joint founding, but lawmakers Lee Won-wook and Cho Eung-cheon withdrew at the last minute. It is reported that their opposition stemmed from the failure to break factional logic and the perception that strengthening the Democratic Party faction undermines the purpose of unification, as well as resistance to a one-sided integration.

On the morning of the 5th, at the National Assembly Communication Office, Lee Won-wook was asked by reporters about his reason for not participating in the joint founding of New Future. He replied, "From the party name to the party constitution and regulations, it is essentially an absorption merger." The Future Coalition, which holds current seats, had been preparing party rules on how to organize the parliamentary party, but practical consultations with the New Future side led by former leader Lee Nak-yeon had not been reached.

The 'Principles and Common Sense' group, a non-Lee Jae-myung faction within the Democratic Party of Korea, Lee Won-wook (from left), Cho Eung-cheon, and Kim Jong-min are seen conversing ahead of a press conference on leaving the party held at the National Assembly on the 10th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The Future Coalition, formed by defectors Lee Won-wook, Cho Eung-cheon, and Kim Jong-min from the Democratic Party, and New Future, led by former leader Lee Nak-yeon, held a joint founding ceremony around 2 p.m. the previous day and moved forward with integration. However, after the event began, lawmakers Lee Won-wook and Cho Eung-cheon issued a statement saying, "The principle of integration is horizontal integration, but the principle was not upheld in pursuing integration with New Future," and withdrew. It is said that the two lawmakers reached the decision not to participate around noon and conveyed this intention to Future Coalition members starting from 1 p.m.

Lee Won-wook also cited issues of 'vision and values' as reasons for withdrawal. He explained his concerns, saying, "Even if we set up a big tent, for example, by creating 'five major pledges' related to ideology and values and only including those who agree with them, or showing such an image, it should have been done. Instead, we ended up having a fragmented debate over political engineering elements, such as who to discuss with first."

While Lee expressed openness to integration talks with all new parties, including the 'Reform New Party,' he drew a line when asked about joining New Future, saying, "If I were going to join, I would have done so yesterday." He added, "I have decided to thoroughly work together with lawmaker Cho Eung-cheon until the end," and said, "For now, Cho and I will think about how to create a 'grand unification big tent' from outside."

Withdrawal Just Before 'Integration'... Reasons for Unresolved Differences

The 'Principles and Common Sense' group, a non-Lee Jae-myung faction within the Democratic Party of Korea, consisting of Assemblymen Jo Eung-cheon (from left), Lee Won-wook, and Kim Jong-min, is holding a press conference on leaving the party at the National Assembly on the 10th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

First, it is reported that the two lawmakers were uncomfortable with the idea of the Democratic Party faction first setting up a 'medium tent.' This seems to be with the intention of prioritizing integration with the Reform New Party. Since their goal is to overcome polarized politics, they argue that the factional framework must be broken first. There is also concern that if opposition new parties merge first, voters might perceive them as a 'second Democratic Party.' A Future Coalition official told Asia Economy in a phone interview that "there could be various options for the path or method toward integration, but there was a significant difference in opinions here."

There were also reports of dissatisfaction with former leader Lee Nak-yeon appearing to lead the integration discussions from the front. The Future Coalition, which holds three current seats, has influence over receiving the 'number 3' designation. However, when New Future tried to take the lead by putting Lee Nak-yeon forward, resistance arose. In fact, although both sides decided on integration on the 28th of last month, they failed to agree on leadership composition and other matters.

Additionally, there were surface-level disputes over the party name and party constitution and regulations. Lawmakers Lee Won-wook and Cho Eung-cheon preferred the provisional party name 'Reform Future Party,' but New Future pushed for 'New Future' based on supporter survey results. As the possibility grew that New Future's party constitution and regulations would be adopted in the same way, the two lawmakers appear to have used this as a trigger to decide to withdraw.

Kim Jong-min, co-representative of New Future, is speaking at the Responsibility Committee meeting held at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 5th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

As a result, there are also criticisms that this was essentially a power struggle over party leadership. The third zone has now split into four factions again: Reform New Party (Lee Jun-seok and Yang Hyang-ja), New Future (Lee Nak-yeon and Kim Jong-min), New Choice (Geum Tae-seop and Ryu Ho-jeong), and lawmakers Lee Won-wook and Cho Eung-cheon. Since discord arose even at the stage of setting up a 'medium tent' among new parties sharing the same roots, it is expected to be difficult to move toward the 'Big Tent' that must transcend conservative and progressive camps.

A representative from the Lee Won-wook and Cho Eung-cheon camp said, "Both lawmakers still recognize the necessity of 'integration' and have the will for it," and asked to view this as just one small process toward a larger goal, leaving the possibility of integration open.

Former leader Lee Nak-yeon also said at the first responsibility committee meeting he chaired as co-leader of New Future that day, "I will strive to realize the greater good by giving up small desires." Kim Jong-min, co-leader of New Future, emphasized, "The claim that Lee Nak-yeon asserted leadership or nomination rights is fake news," and said, "We will start talks immediately with lawmakers Lee Won-wook and Cho Eung-cheon from today, and there will be opportunities to come together again."