"Baebokju Party Entry Controversy? Party Membership System Unstable"
"Difficult if 4-5 Factions Merge... Coordination Needed"
The Reform New Party, a third-party coalition, is embroiled in internal conflict just ten days after its merger, over the leadership of the general election campaign and the admission of former Justice Party Vice-Chair Bae Bok-ju. Yang Hyang-ja, the floor leader of the Reform New Party, expressed concern on the 19th, saying, "Now is not the time for power struggles or fights for leadership," adding, "If we get bogged down in consolidating power, the public will judge the Reform New Party more harshly than the two major parties."
On the same day, during YTN Radio's 'News King with Park Ji-hoon,' Yang responded to some claims that the entry of former Justice Party figures like Bae is the root of the conflict by saying, "It is very inappropriate to mention specific individuals," but added, "Our party's policy platform states that 'infringing on others' freedom for one's own freedom is not freedom but violence.'"
Earlier, Lee Jun-seok, co-representative of the Reform New Party, emphasized the need for member qualification screening regarding Bae’s admission, who had supported the subway protests by the National Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination, saying, "It is difficult to understand at a common-sense level." In response, Yang said, "When a party is urgently formed before an election, the membership system can be unstable," adding, "Korea’s Hope has a process where membership applications are reviewed and approved, and this issue must be addressed firmly even now."
Yang also stated that the Reform New Party’s policy direction and goals are based not on left-right ideology but on 'past versus future.' She explained, "Our identity is no longer about left or right ideological factions," and added, "The party was founded with the sense of crisis that if we cannot even crack the structural flaws of the party system, South Korea cannot move forward and may face another crisis. We are preparing a new future." She continued, "We want to stop ideological and factional fights. Let's break away from the familiar old ways and cross from the past into the future."
Yang reminded that there were many issues to discuss and settle when Korea’s Hope and the Reform New Party merged. She noted that if four or five groups merge, the situation will be even more difficult, but nonetheless, continuous coordination of differing opinions is necessary. At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, Yang also addressed the internal conflict, saying, "With the general election just 50 days away, we no longer have time to delay," and urged, "Let all debates end at the Supreme Council meeting."
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