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Korea now has a new opposition coalition party..., dubbed the "New Politics Alliance for Democracy."
The launch is sure to shake up the domestic political scene... as we draw ever closer
to local elections in June. Our Kwon Soa reports. It's an historic moment
for the new political party. The New Politics Alliance for Democracy held
its official inauguration ceremony Wednesday afternoon, with hopes of bringing about a
new era of politics based on trust and hope.
"After 60 years of being the Democratic Party, we have joined with lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo
and are now reborn as the 'New Politics Alliance for Democracy.'"
Over 2-hundred-50 delegates, including lawmakers, officials, war veterans, and thousands of
citizens from all walks of life attended the event in southern Seoul's Olympic Stadium.
Attendees paid tribute to the 46 victims that died when the warship Cheonan was sunk four
years ago... and commemorated the 104th anniversary of the death of independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun
prior to the main event. The new coalition will be jointly headed by
Democratic Party Representative Kim Han-gil and independent lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo for
one year until it elects a party chairman and leadership next year.
They completed legal measures for dissolving their previous parties and will now register
as a new one with the National Election Commission. The New Politics Alliance for Democracy will
hold 1-hundred-30 seats at the National Assembly, with the vast majority of them being members
of the former Democratic Party. The ruling Saenuri Party currently has 156
seats in the parliament. The alliance adopted its platforms at the
ceremony..., which include a focus on forming a just society and maintaining peace.
"If our party and the Saenuri Party can find a smart way to go about it, strong security
and better inter-Korean relations can co-exist. We can also foster public welfare and promote
democracy together. Progressive or conservative,... that's not what's significant. The people's
livelihoods are."
"Now that the New Politics Alliance for Democracy has officially been launched, the party will
focus on garnering more support from the general public ahead of the June 4th local elections.
Kwon Soa, Arirang News."