Reform New Party Explains Why It Did Not Join Opposition's 'Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor' Street Protest

Intensified Political Conflict and Distancing in Protest Methods
Democratic Party-Led Opposition Bloc Faces Differing Interpretations
Conservative and Opposition Policies Based on Issue Principles

On the 21st, as representatives of the opposition parties launched a joint outdoor protest condemning the request for reconsideration of the 'Chae Haebyeong Special Prosecutor Act,' attention was drawn to the Reform New Party's decision to abstain. The Reform New Party supports the Chae Haebyeong Special Prosecutor Act but plans to maintain some distance regarding the method of protest.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea; Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party; Jang Hye-young, acting floor leader of the Justice Party; Yoon Hee-sook, leader of the Progressive Party; and leaders of six opposition parties held a joint press conference titled 'Opposition Parties and Civil Society Joint Press Conference Condemning the Request for Reconsideration of the Chae Haebyeong Special Prosecutor Act' at the National Assembly in the afternoon. They emphasized the need to unite against the Presidential Office and ruling party, which rejected the Chae Haebyeong Special Prosecutor Act, to ensure its reapproval.

However, the Reform New Party did not attend the press conference that day. Kim Seong-yeol, the newly appointed chief spokesperson of the Reform New Party, told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "The party fully supports the Chae Haebyeong Special Prosecutor Act, but there was an internal opinion to refrain from showy outdoor protests aimed at public display." This is interpreted as the party distancing itself from the opposition coalition regarding protest methods that could escalate political conflict.

Within the party, some criticized the process of requesting the Reform New Party's participation in the opposition parties' press conference on accepting the special prosecutor law held in front of the Yongsan Presidential Office the previous day. It is said that the opposition parties requested attendance from Heo Eun-ah, leader of the Reform New Party, only about 40 minutes before the event without prior consultation, causing confusion within the party. A party official said, "Contacting the head of a political party at 10:20 a.m. to ask for attendance at an 11 a.m. event does not seem appropriate for dealing with a public party," adding, "Ultimately, the leadership had decided not to attend, but there was some confusion as Leader Heo attended."

Reform New Party Leader Heo Eun-ah Visits Lee Jae-myung, Party Leader
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Joo-hyung = Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (left), greets Heo Eun-ah, leader of the Reform New Party, who visited the party leader's office at the National Assembly on May 21, 2024.
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In political circles, there is also an interpretation that the Reform New Party made a political judgment to emphasize its distinctiveness by using the outdoor protest led by the Democratic Party as a pretext. Although part of the opposition, it is seen as a strategic move to maintain some distance from progressive parties such as the Democratic Party and the Cho Kuk Innovation Party as a conservative party. An opposition party official said, "Depending on the issue, it appears to be a strategy to strengthen the party's presence by either allying with the Democratic Party or taking an independent path."

In fact, the Reform New Party clearly opposed the Democratic Party-led proposal for a nationwide 250,000 won livelihood support fund immediately after the general election. Former leader Lee Jun-seok of the Reform New Party stated that while he could agree with providing benefits only to citizens below a certain income threshold, he could not support indiscriminately giving the same amount to all citizens. This aligns with the government and ruling party's criticism of the Democratic Party, labeling the distribution of support funds as populist politics that increase national debt.

A Reform New Party official said, "Regarding the Chae Haebyeong Special Prosecutor Act, we plan to refrain from outdoor protests and other actions internally, but will consistently express support for the special prosecutor law against the government and ruling party."

Meanwhile, on the same day, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo presided over a Cabinet meeting at the Government Seoul Office, where the request for reconsideration of the Chae Haebyeong Special Prosecutor Act was submitted and approved. President Yoon Seok-youl subsequently ratified it.

'Condemnation of the Request for Reconsideration of the "Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act"
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Ju-seong = On the 21st, opposition party lawmakers including Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, and Cho Kuk, leader of the Innovation Party, along with civic group officials, shouted slogans at a joint press conference of opposition parties and civil society condemning the request for reconsideration of the "Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act" held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul.
On the same day, the government held a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and resolved to request reconsideration of the "Special Prosecutor Act on the Investigation Pressure Allegations in the Death Case of Marine Corpsman Chae Sang-byeong." 2024.5.21
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