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There were signs of an impending mass exodus of Uri Party lawmakers from their party on Monday when Rep. Im Jong-in declared his departure. The senior lawmaker told reporters he was leaving the ruling party, which had grown ¡°conservative¡± and would be unable to prevent the main opposition Grand National party from winning the presidential election in December.
Fellow Uri lawmakers are following suit. Rep. Yoo Sun-ho said he told colleagues he would quit Uri first to serve as a bridgehead for the creation of a new united party. Returning from China Monday, the legislator Yum Dong-yun said, "What's the meaning of submitting the letter when my heart has already left the party? I can submit it tomorrow.¡± The prominent lawmaker Chun Jung-bae is discussing with fellow representatives Lee Kye-ahn, Choi Jae-cheon and Je Jong-geel the timing of their departure and the direction a new party should take.
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Uri Party chairman Kim Geun-tae and floor leader Kim Han-gill attend an emergency meeting at party headquarters in Youngdeungpo, Seoul on Monday.
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Uri Party chairman Kim Geun-tae asked lawmakers not to make the situation more chaotic by leaving until the party¡¯s central committee meets to resolve confusion over the party¡¯s constitution on Jan. 29. No one appeared to listen.
Various split scenarios have been drawn up in the party. Lawmaker Chun said Monday the envisaged new party should not be a hodgepodge of ideologies and should have a clearer identity than the Uri Party, bringing those who share the same beliefs together. Rep. Rhee Mok-hee predicted that the departure of lawmakers would split Uri into three, with a minority remaining and reform and conservative forces each going their own way.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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