Political Drama Unfolds: Why Ex-Democrats Are Joining the Justice Innovation Party?
Daniel Kim Views
This development has sparked criticism from the ruling party, raising concerns about potential conflict between the Democratic Party and the Innovation Party as they discuss a merger.
Local political sources reported on the 10th that five local council members from Bupyeong, including independent councilors Lim Ji-hoon (Bupyeong District 5) and Na Sang-gil (Bupyeong District 4), recently applied to join the Justice and Innovation Party.
These councilors left the Democratic Party after former Congressman Hong Young-pyo, who previously represented Bupyeong District 2, departed to join the New Future Party.
The news of these former colleagues potentially joining the Innovation Party has drawn sharp criticism from within the Democratic Party.
Congressman Park Sun-won (Bupyeong District 2) took to social media to strongly condemn their actions in a post titled, “Is Politics a Game? Politics is About Upholding Principles.”
Park stated, “Former Congressman Hong Young-pyo formed the New Future Party and ran against me in the 22nd National Assembly election. Now, those who left the party with Hong are seeking to join the Justice and Innovation Party. Given the Innovation Party’s proclaimed values of reform, transparency, and trust, I expect them to make a different decision.”
Park also referenced the September 2023 incident when the National Assembly voted to approve the arrest warrant for Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, asserting, “It’s widely known that former Congressman Hong was one of the key figures behind that event.”
As discussions continue regarding a potential merger between the Democratic Party and the Justice and Innovation Party, concerns are growing that these members might attempt to participate in the Democratic Party’s primaries through the Innovation Party.
Park emphasized, “Our party cannot allow members who left to support New Future candidates to re-enter through the Justice and Innovation Party for our internal primaries. As the head of the Incheon City Democratic Party’s local election planning team, I will ensure the nomination process adheres strictly to our party’s rules and regulations.”
/ Reporter Lee Ah-jin
atoz@incheonilbo.com
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