Reform New Party's Heo Eun-a, "Absolutely No Unification" in the October 16 By-Election

"Hard to Run in All Four By-Election Districts"
"Once Candidates Are Decided, We Plan to Move to Local Areas"
"Will Strive Not to Be Confused with Joguk Innovation Party in Local Elections"

Heo Eun-ah, leader of the Reform New Party, stated regarding the upcoming October 16 by-elections, "We will never form alliances or unify," adding, "We will field candidates with our own strength and who carry our unique identity."

At a press conference held at the National Assembly on the 26th to mark her 100th day in office, Leader Heo said, "We have been searching for candidates for the by-elections for the past two months," and "We are striving to find individuals who align with the Reform New Party's colors and philosophy, and we do not plan to be rushed by time." She continued, "It is not easy to field candidates in all four districts," but added, "I visited Busan yesterday. We found someone we hope will run as the candidate for the Geumjeong District Office." She further stated, "We expect to provide a clear answer around the 29th," and "If a candidate is decided, we plan to move down there (Busan) and live."

On the morning of the 26th, Heo Eun-ah, leader of the Reform New Party, wrote "Reform is courage" on the wall during a press conference held at the National Assembly to mark her 100th day in office, sharing her reflections and plans.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

In the October 16 by-elections, due to the death or invalidation of elected officials, new elections will be held for the Geumjeong District Office in Busan, the Ganghwa County Office in Incheon, and the Gokseong and Yeonggwang County Offices in Jeollanam-do. The National Innovation Party is focusing its full efforts on winning candidates particularly in the Jeollanam-do region. Representatives Jo Guk and Shin Jang-sik of the National Innovation Party have also announced plans to live on a monthly rental basis in Jeollanam-do. Similarly, the Reform New Party has revealed it is searching for a candidate to run for the Geumjeong District Office in Busan and has hinted at the possibility of living on a monthly rental basis as well.

Leader Heo emphasized, "Our party's approval ratings are still modest, and it is not an easy party to choose if one only wants to run to win," adding, "We will stand by candidates who show courage until the end." Furthermore, she said, "Our goal is, of course, to win," and "We will achieve it like the miracle of Dongtan."

Meanwhile, for the local elections scheduled two years later in 2026, the Reform New Party has set a policy to promote the party clearly to avoid confusion with the National Innovation Party. Leader Heo said on this day, "Some people confuse us with the National Innovation Party," and "By September, we want to make it clear that the National Innovation Party and the Reform New Party are different," adding, "Also, our goal is to field candidates nationwide in two years and to run a candidate in the 2027 presidential election."