Shin Jang-sik, the leader of the Justice Innovation Party, stated on November 3 that the progressive camp, which should be the backbone of South Korea, is faltering, warning that if things continue as they are, the 2028 general election will result in failure. He emphasized the need for clarity in reform, proposing a primary election within the progressive camp to judge anti-reform forces.
During a press conference marking his 100 days in office at the National Assembly, Shin remarked, "The Justice Innovation Party has been a reform icebreaker and tugboat, paving the way for reform."
He directed criticism at the Democratic Party, questioning, "Is it truly a reform party? Where is it headed?" He added, "If this continues, the 2028 general election will be a failure, and the prospect of continuing the fifth democratic reform government in 2030 looks bleak."
Shin asserted that the Justice Innovation Party has followed a clear path of reform and pledged to focus on becoming the main battleship of the democratic reform fleet in a decisive confrontation with far-right insurrection forces. He promised to complete the resolution of insurrection, judge anti-reform forces, and address inequality.
He stated, "In the 2028 general election, the most prominent and reform-minded candidates will run in 'anti-reform districts,'" identifying targets for anti-reform as those who supported insurrection, proposed labor exemptions, and attempted to reverse judicial reforms while dividing the progressive camp.
Shin also mentioned that he, along with floor leader Kim Jun-hyung and Secretary-General Jeong Chun-sang, would run in anti-reform districts in the metropolitan area, urging the public to use the Justice Innovation Party as a tool to judge anti-reform forces.
Furthermore, he argued that having candidates from the reform-oriented Justice Innovation Party would enhance competitiveness, advocating for a primary election within the democratic reform camp to consolidate the strength of the entire faction.
Regarding the merger theory with the Democratic Party, which has been raised by some within the ruling party, he emphasized, "Can marriage be done alone? Trust must be restored first."
He demanded an official apology for the secret agreements and color theories raised during the merger discussions in January, stating that the Justice Innovation Party and the democratic reform camp have lost trust in the Democratic Party due to its internal conflicts and deviations from the democratic reform line. He insisted that before discussing a merger, the Democratic Party must first address its own self-renewal and internal disputes.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.