Joo Ho-young: "Won't Join Ruling Party's 'Administrative Capital Special Committee' Proposal... Demand Constitutional Amendment or National Referendum"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hye-min] On the 24th, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, clearly stated that he would not join the proposal by Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, to form a 'Special Committee on Capital Relocation' at the National Assembly level.

Through CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the same day, Floor Leader Joo said, "This is an unexpected discussion. We plan to avoid expanding the discussion as much as possible."

He explained, "With only two years left in the president's term and talk of a lame-duck period beginning, the promise to place the presidential office in Gwanghwamun at the start of the term has not been kept. There is no sign of thorough preparation even in the Democratic Party floor leader's speech." He added, "This was raised to shift the issue due to problems such as the sexual harassment case of former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, the larvae found in Incheon’s tap water, and the skyrocketing housing prices."

Floor Leader Joo said, "If there is a plan to relocate the administrative capital, either a constitutional amendment or a national referendum should be conducted. The fundamental problem must be solved. Creating a law that could be unconstitutional and then trying to prevent the Constitutional Court from ruling it unconstitutional is a very dangerous idea for those managing the country."

When asked if the National Assembly is insufficient to represent the people, he responded, "Can the capital of Korea be decided and moved without national consent? A national referendum is an essential process." He criticized, "The Democratic Party is trying to make a law, and whether it passes or not, the United Future Party opposes it to gain some political advantage."

Regarding the possibility of presenting a unified opposition candidate in next year's by-elections for Seoul and Busan mayors, Floor Leader Joo said, "Creating an election structure that can win is the most important. All possibilities exist." He added, "If the People's Party and the United Future Party merge, there will be a single candidate, and even if they do not merge, the possibility of candidate unification remains open."

However, he said, "This is not something specifically considered but a general statement," and on the possibility of party unification before the by-elections, he said, "It depends on the percentage chance, but such a possibility always exists."

Floor Leader Joo mentioned 'Miss Trot' as a method for candidate selection. He said, "Although Miss Trot consisted of existing singers who were not well-known and the trot genre was perceived as outdated, through that process, they were newly recognized by the public and stars were born." He added, "I am very interested in discovering candidates through such a method."

When asked if existing politicians and party members could also participate, he said, "Yes," and added, "If a framework is created, it would be good if many people like Lee Hye-hoon, Na Kyung-won, and Ji Sang-wook participate."

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