Cheon: 'We share the same hope that the Reform Party succeeds'

Lee: 'Please lend your support to the party's joint strategy'

Reform Party Emergency Committee Chairman Lee Ki-in speaks about the party's reform direction at an emergency committee meeting at the National Assembly on Oct. 15. [Yonhap]
Reform Party Emergency Committee Chairman Lee Ki-in speaks about the party's reform direction at an emergency committee meeting at the National Assembly on Oct. 15. [Yonhap]

The Reform Party's Emergency Committee said Thursday it would respect floor leader Cheon Ha-ram's intention to run in Suncheon.

Emergency Committee Chairman Lee Ki-in convened an emergency committee meeting at the National Assembly that day and said the party would "respect Floor Leader Cheon Ha-ram's intention to run in Suncheon and lift the freeze on selecting a Suncheon district organizing committee chair."

Lee had originally asked Cheon to run in southern Gyeonggi Province, a request Cheon declined, leaving the two at odds.

However, Lee said the party's view that it "must concentrate its resources in southern Gyeonggi Province has not changed," adding that while the party had sought to build consensus on the matter multiple times, "we have confirmed that Floor Leader Cheon's resolve to run in Suncheon is firm."

Lee said the party had watched "conflict and division among various third parties," adding that "when party strategy and individual wishes clash, pushing someone out or dragging out the conflict has never resolved the problem."

Lee also pledged to confirm Cheon's Suncheon nomination early so Cheon could focus on local activities. Lee asked Cheon to "take sufficient time to meet residents, strengthen the local organization and devote energy to election preparations," expressing hope that "the intention to broaden the Reform Party's base in Suncheon will lead to good results."

Lee then asked Cheon to "appreciate the deliberation and coordination the party and colleagues have put into reaching this decision," adding, "just as the party has respected your personal choice, I hope you will also lend your support to the party's joint strategy."

Lee stressed the importance of the floor leader role, saying it "carries responsibility for the party's overall victory." Lee asked Cheon to play a role in the success of the southern Gyeonggi Province strategy "alongside building a foundation in Suncheon — through recruiting talent, developing policy and providing on-the-ground support."

Cheon responded by saying, "We may differ somewhat on methods, but we share the same hope that the Reform Party succeeds." Cheon added, "In return for the trust and respect shown to me, I will work to ensure that the central party and the Reform Party as a whole achieve good results not only in South Jeolla Province but also in North Jeolla Province, and particularly in southern Gyeonggi Province."


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