Conservative Party Split

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In our top story, some 30 non-mainstream members of the ruling Saenuri Party including Representatives Yoo Seong-min and Kim Moo-sung have formally declared their intentions to leave the party on December 27th. For the first time in South Korea’s constitutional history, the conservative party has split.

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Some 30 non-mainstream members of the ruling Saenuri Party have declared they will collectively leave the party next week. The dissenters pledged to part ways with what they called 'fake conservatism' and become the center of true conservative politics, and even hinted at launching a new party.

[Soundbite] Rep. Hwang Young-cheul(Saenuri Party) : "We agreed to take a new path to fight the pro-Park hegemony and re-establish a truly conservative administration."

Representative Yoo Seong-min who was initially negative about leaving the party also changed his mind after a meeting with the party's former chairman Kim Moo-sung.

[Soundbite] Rep. Yoo Seong-min(Saenuri Party) : "We reached the conclusion that a political revolution through conservative reform is impossible within the Saenuri Party..."

The dissenters decided to officially leave the party on Tuesday, saying they need time to explain their decision to their constituents and also persuade more Saenuri lawmakers to join their move. A key member of the non-mainstream faction has said that those leaving the party could turn out to be more than those remaining if lawmakers who are currently contemplating a decision are included. Korea's political scene is in further turmoil ahead of a presidential election as for the first time in constitutional history, the conservative party is about to split into two negotiation bodies in parliament.