Rep. Chun Ha-ram, acting leader and floor leader of the minor conservative Reform Party, dismissed speculation Monday that the party was considering merging with either of South Korea’s two major political parties.
“There is no one in the Reform Party who is pursuing a merger,” Chun said during a press conference at the National Assembly, referring to the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and the main opposition People Power Party.
Chun pledged that the Reform Party would maintain its independent course, describing it as the only third-party force currently represented in the National Assembly and a symbol of political reform.
“We will continue our path of standing on our own rather than making an unjust compromise with the establishment,” he said.
Speculation has been growing over the party’s future since its poor performance in the June 3 local elections and parliamentary by-elections, and the resignation of its founder, Rep. Lee Jun-seok, as party leader last week.
