'Pre-Integration Then Notification'... Reform New Party Members Are Angry

Lack of Communication and Concerns Over Loss of Reform Value
Heo Eun-a and Lee Gi-in Apologize for Integration Process
Lee Emphasizes "Reform Party Leadership Still Intact"
Voices for Integration of Four Parties Are Key

As the third zone forces unified under the name 'Reform New Party,' strong opposition has arisen from some party members who have supported Lee Jun-seok's new party. This is because the leadership of the Reform New Party, founded on the value of reform conservatism, proceeded with the integration with forces of different political orientations without party member discussions, following a 'unify first, notify later' approach. Some party members even withdrew their membership, claiming that the political engineering integration aimed at winning the general election caused the loss of conservative party values. Although the party leadership has tried to appease members by stating that the initiative for integration still lies with the Reform New Party, concerns are emerging that discord within the party is inevitable regarding future policy directions.

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform New Party, apologized during the first Supreme Council meeting held on the morning of the 13th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, saying, "I apologize to the party members and supporters who felt alienated and concerned due to insufficient communication procedures during the integration process, and I pledge to do better." This was the first meeting since the integration of the third zone new parties, and Lee bowed his head directly in response to the ongoing opposition from existing Reform New Party members for four days.

The reasons for opposition among Reform New Party members to this integration mainly fall into two categories: 'lack of communication during the merger process' and 'concerns over loss of conservative values.' Earlier, on the 9th, just before the Lunar New Year holiday, Lee announced a surprise merger of four third zone forces (Principles and Common Sense, New Choice, Reform New Party, and New Future). It was agreed to keep the party name Reform New Party under the joint leadership of Lee Jun-seok and Lee Nak-yeon. However, there was no discussion, vote, or prior notice with existing Reform New Party members during this process. Even individuals who had been involved in preparing the new party's founding were reportedly unaware of the recent big tent integration process.

What conversation?
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Shin Junhee = Lee Nak-yeon, co-representative of the Reform New Party (right), and Geum Tae-seop, supreme council member, are having a conversation before the 1st Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 13th.
In the center is Lee Jun-seok, co-representative. 2024.2.13
Photo by hama@yna.co.kr
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Strong Opposition from Party Self-Reliance Advocates... Apologies from Heo Eun-ah and Lee Gi-in

Immediately after the integration, some hardcore members of the existing Reform New Party strongly opposed it. One member said, "I cannot hide my disappointment with the third zone merger," and criticized, "There was none of the Lee Jun-seok style we knew throughout the entire merger process." This pointed out that the old-fashioned tactics of the third zone, repeatedly seen in past elections, were reproduced in this integration process. Another hardcore member criticized, "If Lee Jun-seok merged with left-wing forces, then why should we remain in the Reform New Party at all?"

In fact, at the end of last year, the Reform New Party defined its founding direction as a 'conservative party, democratic party, and liberal party' and quickly began expanding its forces. With expectations that it could become an alternative force to the current ruling party as a reform conservative party, the number of members surpassed 50,000 within about two weeks of its founding. The disappointment among so-called self-reliance advocates, who believe in policy competition rather than alliances between forces, was particularly significant.

As opposition within the party continued, the leadership moved to manage the situation. Lee Gi-in, Supreme Council member of the Reform New Party, said, "The anger of party members and supporting citizens is understandable, and even we acknowledge that the integration's principles and process were neither clear nor transparent." He added, "We deeply reflect on whether we neglected what was important by being trapped in Yeouido's political jargon." Former lawmaker Heo Eun-ah also bowed her head, saying, "I personally regret that this situation occurred due to the immediate interests of the upcoming general election."

Heo Eun-ah Announcing Party Platform Related to Corporations
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Han Jong-chan = Heo Eun-ah, the preparatory committee chairperson of the Reform New Party, is announcing the party platform related to corporations at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 18th. 2024.1.18
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Lee Jun-seok Emphasizes Reform New Party's Leadership... Policy Line Alignment as a Variable

Lee reiterated that the leadership of the integrated new party still lies with the existing Reform New Party. This means that the core of the integrated party's leadership consists of existing Reform New Party members. The Reform New Party actually appointed former lawmaker Kim Yong-nam and former National Assembly Legislative Research Office chief Kim Man-heum as co-chairs of the Policy Committee, and retained the existing Secretary-General Kim Cheol-geun in the integrated new party. The chief spokesperson position was assigned to former lawmaker Heo Eun-ah, while spokesperson roles were given to Kim Hyo-eun of New Future and Lee Gi-in, a Gyeonggi Province assembly member from the Reform New Party.

They also agreed to recognize the policy lines announced by each party before the integration. In particular, policies that caused controversy within the Reform New Party, such as abolishing free subway rides for the elderly and mandatory military service for female police and firefighters, will be maintained as is. Lee explained, "We agreed to mutually respect the policies previously announced by each party." However, it remains uncertain how much the Democratic Party-origin forces will agree with pledges such as mandatory military service for female public officials. Although the parties reached a broad consensus on policies for integration, it is reported that no additional discussions on detailed content have taken place yet.

Whether the four parties can present a unified voice in the upcoming general election remains a variable. For instance, Lee Nak-yeon, co-leader of the Reform New Party, has already revealed conflicts, such as when Democratic Party defectors and lawmakers Lee Won-wook and Cho Eung-cheon refused to participate in the New Future party's founding process. Lee Jun-seok also expressed confusion about the integration discussions last month, saying, "The golden time for the big tent has passed." The Reform New Party plans to discuss the party platform and policy ideas soon through its policy organization. Professor Shin Yul of Myongji University's Department of Political Science and Diplomacy said, "To create momentum for the new party, size matters," adding, "The creation of satellite parties by the two major parties has made it more difficult for new parties to expect proportional representation seats, which likely accelerated the integration."

Reform New Party's First Supreme Council Meeting
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Shin Jun-hee = Lee Jun-seok, co-representative of the Reform New Party, is speaking at the 1st Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 13th.
From the left: Geum Tae-seop, Supreme Council member; Yang Hyang-ja, floor leader; Lee Nak-yeon, co-representative; Representative Lee; Cho Eung-cheon; Kim Jong-min, Supreme Council member. 2024.2.13
Photo by hama@yna.co.kr
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