Internal Conflict Intensifies in Reform New Party... Lee Jun-seok "Promote Member Recall System" vs Heo Eun-ah "No Intention to Resign"

The internal conflict within the Reform New Party over party leadership is intensifying. Representative Lee Jun-seok, who led the party's founding, issued a final ultimatum to Representative Heo Eun-ah, stating he would push for a 'party member recall system' (removal of the leader). On the other hand, Representative Heo once again made it clear that she has no intention of stepping down from her position as party leader.

On the 8th, Lee posted on his social media (SNS), "Most party officials have resigned in protest against the abnormal party management by some members of the Reform New Party leadership," and added, "I deeply empathize with their concerns and their love for the party."

He continued, "I believed it was right to give various party members opportunities to expand the party's influence, so I refrained from intervening in party affairs for the past eight months. However, recently the party has reached an absurd situation, and it is right to implement the party member recall system, as stipulated in the party constitution, against those who lack the ability and will to resolve issues."

The party member recall system allows party members to request the dismissal of party officials. If a party official violates laws, the party constitution, or party regulations, thereby damaging the party's dignity or adversely affecting its existence, party members can recall them.

Lee said, "It is regrettable that the party has fallen into chaos at such a critical time due to the stubbornness of one or two individuals," and added, "I ask for consensus to proceed with the process swiftly."

The internal conflict in the Reform New Party became public last December when Representative Heo abruptly dismissed Kim Cheol-geun, Lee's closest aide and the party secretary-general. Some members of the supreme council demanded that Representative Heo reappoint Kim and that the leadership resign en masse, but Heo reportedly refused. As the conflict continued, on the 7th, all spokespersons, including Chief Spokesperson Kim Jeong-cheol and Spokespersons Lee Eun-chang and Ha Heon-hwi, resigned.

Lee Jun-seok, a member of the Reform New Party, is talking with Assemblyman Cheon Ha-ram at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 2nd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Heo Eun-ah: "Former Secretary-General's Attempt to Shake Party Leader... No Intention to Resign"

Meanwhile, Representative Heo emphasized again that she has "absolutely no intention of resigning from the party leader position" amid the ongoing internal conflict.

At the National Assembly on the same day, Heo told reporters, "The current situation is an attempt by the former secretary-general to shake the party leader," and criticized, "The former secretary-general has no authority to shake the party leader. This is causing hardship for both supporters and party members."

She reiterated her intention to serve out her full term as party leader. Heo stated, "We must immediately prepare for the April by-elections. From now on, I will actively communicate with party members and manage the party well in line with the Reform New Party's principles."

Regarding concerns within the party about a possible merger with the People Power Party, she firmly denied, saying, "That will never happen." Heo claimed, "I have never had talks with People Power Party officials about a merger, and I have even gotten angry when such rumors surfaced. We will contest the upcoming presidential election on our own."

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