Will Jeonjin Korea Become an “Outpost” for Ruling Party-Related Forces?

On March 15 at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in Jung-gu, Seoul, the inaugural ceremony of a new political group, “Jeonjin Korea” (forward-moving Korea), will take place.

The meeting will be attended by former Gyeonggi Provincial Governor, Sohn Hak-gyu, and lawmakers, Won Hee-ryong and Goh Jin-hwa, from the main opposition, the Grand National Party (GNP); lawmakers Kim Bu-kyum and Lim Jong-seok from the ruling Uri Party; Rep. Kim Jong-in from the Democratic Party; Chairman Shin Guk-hwan of the People First Party; and other government officials. It is widely expected, both inside and outside of political circles, that as Sohn and Won expressed their intention not to join the GNP’s party convention preparation committee and that the Uri Party is having trouble launching a unified new party. The group might become an outpost for the ruling party in a wider sense.

Co-chaired by Professor Choi Bae-geun of Konkuk University College of Business Administration, President Kim Yoon of the Forum for Developing Korea into a Global Economy and President Kim Yoo-sik of Digital Inside and participated in by a promotional committee comprising 50 figures from all across the society, Jeonjin Korea defines itself not as a civic group but as a “political organization.” It will set its platform by July, create a new party in the second half of the year and put forth an independent centrist candidate for the upcoming presidential election.

In his thesis statement for the discussion session at the ceremony, Co-Chairman Choi cited as tasks for an advanced Korea, that Jeonjin Korea will push for: (a) enhancing the public nature of education, and valuing its excellence at the same time; (b) strengthening Korea-U.S. cooperation and establishing peace on the Korean peninsula; and (c) achieving a grand social compromise for stabilizing management rights of conglomerates and ensuring their transparent management.

For the moment, the group will focus on joining hands not with the Uri Party but with some members of the GNP, the Democratic Party and the People First Party. “If lawmakers from the Uri Party, who should reflect on their mistakes, take the initiative in pursuing unification, it might seem to people that they attempt to extend the term of this Administration. So even if they do join us, they will do so later,” said Co-Chairman Kim Yoon.

When it came to former Gyeonggi Governor Sohn, however, he stated, “The history of forward-moving in Korea has been led by those who make crucial decisions and sacrifice themselves in difficult times. I strongly urge Sohn to make a resolute decision.” He also plans to actively invite former Seoul National University President, Chung Un-chan, to the group.

The GNP’s presidential hopefuls have denied the possibility of their becoming directly engaged in the organization. Former aides to Sohn and Won, however, are serving as founding members of Jeonjin Korea.

“The mainstream of the GNP has worked on adding reactionary/conservative color to the party rather than pushing for unification,” asserted Won, in his thesis statement for the discussion session. “I agree with many areas of Jeonjin Korea’s diagnosis of Korean society.”

Members of the ruling Uri Party—centering on two-term lawmakers who have trouble pursuing unification with the Democratic Party—are placing high expectations on the role of Jeonjin Korea. With two-term assemblymen from the GNP—Kim Bu-kyum and Kim Young-chun to name a few—as a channel for communication, they expect that, if they join hands with the GNP’s likely presidential candidates through Jeonjin Korea, unification with the Democratic Party and other ruling party-related forces will naturally follow.

ditto@donga.com