Uri Members Split Over New Party Plan

Uri Party chairman Kim Geun-tae has said, “Forming a new party will end up a failure,” even before the by-elections held on October 25. In a meeting of Emergency Plan Committee, Kim said, “The Uri or any other party has failed to give hope to the people.” This statement was made in consideration of the fact that three independent candidates won at the local by-elections. It implies that the party leadership is not to blame since the Uri’s failure is structural and there is nothing better going on with other parties.

Kim instead took a step to lead change in the political world. The National Alliance for Democracy and Peace, an organization of those out of public office led by Kim, decided to take actions to reform the political world in a private meeting this morning. An attendee said, “There is no other option but taking an action.” However, it is questionable how much influential their pursuit of political reforms will be.

First-timers Want Early Party Convention–

Twenty three lawmakers of “Like the Beginning,” an organization of first-time election winners in Uri, argued through a statement that the party convention scheduled to be held at the end of next February should be moved up to as late as January.

They said, “The current leadership should carry out their duties in the Emergency Plan Committee and finish up preparations for scheduled events including the convention by November.”

It implies that they need to try to find solutions in the convention since even replacing the leadership cannot help the party break through the dead-end situation. However, they have different ideas about what to do in the convention.

Lawmaker Cho Jeong-sik of “Like the Beginning” said, “The convention should become a place for Uri to throw away its vested rights and rally for the presidential election.”

According to lawmaker Yeom Dong-yeon, “Uri is about to die. The convention is necessary to take steps toward integration, no matter how.”

Lawmaker Han Byeong-do said, “No one objects to the need for integration in a broader sense. Pro-Roh members also agree on it. We are just arguing integration should be made in order through the convention.”

Lawmaker Jeon Byeong-heon pointed out, “It is time to form a new political party with a new vision and hope for winning the election for the people against the Grand National Party and disappointed with Uri.”

Cheong Wa Dae Objects to Any Move for Regional Division–

President Roh did not make any response to the results of by-elections and the arguments for reforms within the party. Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Yoon Tae-yeong said, “The president will not agree on any argument for strengthening regional division since he has consistently objected to regionalism since 1988.” It implies that the president is against the argument within the ruling party that priority should be given to securing votes from Jeolla Provinces in alliance with Democratic Party.

Some even voice that Roh’s withdrawal from the party is inevitable for active discussion of reforms.

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