Ex-main oppoosition chief Hwang to lead ‘big tent’ against Moon government
By Kang Seung-woo
The United Future Party, a bloc of three conservative parties, was launched, Monday, less than two months ahead of the upcoming general election.
The new political body with 113 parliamentary seats held an inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly in Seoul under the banner of “Judgment on the Moon Jae-in administration.”
The party is comprised of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) and two minor parties — the New Conservative Party and the Forward for Future 4.0 that were formed by lawmakers who left the Bareunmirae Party, another minor opposition party. The new party was also joined by conservative civic groups.
It was the first time in three years that conservatives have formed a “big tent” since they were split in 2017 following the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye, once the darling of right-wing politicians.
“Strong public calls for us to judge the Moon administration and realize democracy have resulted in the launch of the United Future Party,” said its Chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn, who was head of the LKP.
On Nov. 6, 2019, Hwang announced an ambitious bid for conservative parties to join forces to seek a win in the April 15 election.
“It has been 104 days since I proposed the idea of creating a united conservative party. Although there were concerns over the merger, each and every member prioritized consolidation over others in the process,” Hwang said.
“While punishing the Moon government’s oppressive rule, the party should become a political party to put together conservatives and centrists, and I strongly believe it will.”
The new party’s supreme council mainly consists of the LKP’s leadership, and two non-parliamentary members — Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong and Lee Jun-seok, a young member of the New Conservative Party. Won and Lee were formerly members of the Saenuri Party, the LKP’s predecessor from which other minor conservative parties have also split away.
Given that the party was hurriedly created for the general election, the leadership is expected to go through a reorganization after the poll.
The main color representing the party is pink and its slogan is “Power of a unified democratic Republic of Korea.”
The party plans to form a committee that will be in charge of its election campaign as early as the end of this month.
In response to the new party launch, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) questioned its sincerity.
“Despite its status as the main opposition, the party has neither a fresh form nor fresh political vision. It has finally become a rehashed version of the Saenuri Party,” DPK floor leader Lee In-young said during a party meeting.
