After the Split, the Emerging 'Unified Public Relations Committee'... Third-Force Big Tent Gains Momentum

Lee Won-wook and Jo Eung-cheon Propose 'Unified Public Committee' for Third Zone
Introduction of Open List System... 'National Panel' Cutoff Screening
Lee Jun-seok "High Consistency"... Geum Tae-seop "Rational Plan"

After refusing to join Saeroun Mirae, lawmakers Lee Won-wook and Cho Eung-cheon, who separated again on the grounds of 'principles and common sense,' proposed the formation of an 'Integrated Nomination Management Committee' to establish a big tent in the third zone. With immediate responses from Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform New Party, and others, attention is focused on whether the big tent discussion will gain momentum.

On the morning of the 6th, Lee Won-wook and Cho Eung-cheon held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office, stating, "The deadline for the grand unification of the third zone is approaching," and "We propose the formation of an integrated nomination management committee to the Reform New Party, Saeroun Mirae, and Saeroun Seontaek on the premise of grand unification."

Independent lawmakers Cho Eung-cheon and Lee Won-wook are holding a press conference on the morning of the 6th at the National Assembly Communication Office to announce the 'Five Core Values' and propose a 'Nomination Plan for the Integration of the Third Zone.' [Image source=Yonhap News]

The integrated nomination management committee proposed by the two lawmakers is to be composed by each nominating two members from the Reform New Party, two from Saeroun Mirae, one from Saeroun Seontaek, and one from Principles and Common Sense. The chairperson will be recommended by one member each from the Reform New Party and Saeroun Mirae, but after consultation among the members, the chairperson will be appointed from Principles and Common Sense. This is explained as taking on the role of an arbiter in forming the 'big tent.' Once the integrated nomination management committee is formed, it will conduct integrated screening of both constituency candidates and proportional representation candidates.

In particular, the proportional representation candidates will adopt an 'open competition list system,' and the cutoff screening will be conducted by forming a 'citizen panel' of people under their 40s. The open list system means that the party prepares the list of proportional representation candidates, but the order of election is left to the voters' votes. The two lawmakers emphasized, "It is a method that secures transparency in nominations while those with party authority, such as party leaders, give up vested interests and delegate all authority to party members and the public."

They also presented the agenda of 'five core values' for big tent unification: equality, inclusion, recognition, change, and future. This includes content aimed at breaking away from the 'imperial party leader system' that the two lawmakers have advocated. To reduce the overwhelming power of the party leader, they propose aiming for a policy-oriented party centered on the floor leader. Additionally, to realize a 'decentralized party' and a 'supporter-centered party,' they suggested dismantling the central party and having the city and provincial parties replace its role.

Lee Won-wook and Cho Eung-cheon, who volunteered as a 'bridge'... Will the third zone unite?

Independent lawmakers Cho Eung-cheon and Lee Won-wook are greeting each other after holding a press conference on the morning of the 6th at the National Assembly Communication Office, where they announced the 'Five Core Values' and proposed a 'Nomination Plan for Third Zone Integration.' From the left: Saeroun Selection Co-Representative Cho Sung-joo, Representative Cho, former Representative Ryu Ho-jeong, Saeroun Selection Co-Representative Geum Tae-seop, and Representative Lee.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

As lawmakers Lee Won-wook and Cho Eung-cheon, who returned to Principles and Common Sense, volunteer to play a 'bridge' role for the big tent, attention is focused on whether the third zone, which had faced division, can gain momentum toward unification. Both lawmakers are former members of the Democratic Party of Korea and have close ties with Yang Hyang-ja, floor leader of the Reform New Party, Geum Tae-seop, co-leader of Saeroun Seontaek, and Saeroun Mirae. In particular, since Lee has shown conservative tendencies in areas such as economic issues, it is evaluated that it will be easier to form a policy consensus with the Reform New Party led by Lee Jun-seok.

Right after the press conference, Lee Won-wook told reporters, "There is strong public demand for a big tent in the third zone," and "I expected active responses from other new parties and did not consider rejection." When asked about the situation where Yang Hyang-ja, floor leader of the Reform New Party, and Heo Eun-ah, supreme council member, have been sending 'love calls' one after another after Saeroun Mirae's departure, he clearly stated, "I will not join any party based on friendship or preference." Cho Eung-cheon also added, "Since the election schedule is tight, I will play a booster role for unification."

Regarding the election system, which has been settled on maintaining the 'semi-proportional representation system,' and the question about the 'third zone's influence,' Cho Eung-cheon said, "It is not right to weigh pros and cons," but sharply criticized, "The point of anger is why the leader of the main opposition party makes promises and does not keep them." He also criticized the ruling party, saying, "The People Power Party insists on a parallel system and says they will create satellite parties, so just deal with it," and added, "Isn't it the ruling party's attitude to take a step forward toward politics that tries to reflect public opinion by equalizing the value of votes?"

Reform New Party leader Lee Jun-seok is shaking hands with independent lawmaker Cho Eung-cheon at the National Assembly Communication Office on the morning of the 6th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Generally, positive reactions are coming from the third zone. Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform New Party, responded to the proposal for the integrated nomination management committee, saying, "It is very consistent with what the Reform New Party has always said about the nomination system and political orientation." He added, "I think it is a proposal to remove barriers between forces and give the nomination rights to party members and citizens," and "Since it is very similar to the nomination direction originally prepared by the Reform New Party, there should be no big problem even if it proceeds as an integrated nomination management committee among various forces."

On the same day, Geum Tae-seop, co-leader of Saeroun Seontaek, who declared his candidacy for Jongno-gu, Seoul, also responded immediately. When asked about it right after his candidacy declaration, he said, "I think it is a reasonable plan, and I agree that we can proceed in this direction," and "I hope unification will be achieved soon."