(LEAD) Independent Park Jie-won joins minor opposition party
(ATTN: ADDS photo and more details in 6th para)
SEOUL, March 2 (Yonhap) -- Veteran independent lawmaker Park Jie-won joined the minor opposition People's Party Wednesday and pledged to win a sweeping victory in the April general elections.
Park, formerly affiliated with the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea, made the announcement after holding a meeting with Ahn Cheol-soo, co-chairman of the People's Party.
"We have agreed without any strings attached to join forces for a change in administration in 2017," Park told reporters at the National Assembly.
The three-term lawmaker, who also served as a floor leader of the Minjoo Party's predecessor, left the party last month following Ahn's departure amid an in-house power struggle.
Last month, the Supreme Court overturned a ruling that convicted Park of receiving 30 million won (US$24,400) in kickbacks from a former banker, citing lack of credibility in testimonies.
Kwon Roh-kap, a close aide to the late former President Kim Dae-jung and a former advisor to the Minjoo Party's predecessor, also joined the People's Party.
khj@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
N.K. leader declares victory in fight against COVID-19: state media
-
DP slams Yoon's absence during record rainfall
-
(News Focus) Samsung's Lee expected to solidify leadership, step up biz activities after receiving pardon
-
(LEAD) Yoon pledges to improve ties with Japan, offers economic aid in exchange for N.K. denuclearization
-
(2nd LD) PPP approves leadership shift, names interim leader
-
(5th LD) 8 dead, 7 missing in record rainfall in Seoul, surrounding areas
-
(2nd LD) Samsung heir Lee granted special presidential pardon
-
(News Focus) Samsung's Lee expected to solidify leadership, step up biz activities after receiving pardon
-
(LEAD) Yoon pledges to improve ties with Japan, offers economic aid in exchange for N.K. denuclearization
-
16 dead, missing in record rainfall in Seoul, surrounding areas in 3 days
-
(LEAD) Yoon pledges to improve ties with Japan, offers economic aid in exchange for N.K. denuclearization
-
Conservative activists hold rally in downtown Seoul on Liberation Day
-
S. Korea expresses deep regret over Japanese PM's offering to war shrine
-
Bank's refusal to open account for foreigner with long name 'discriminatory': rights watchdog
-
SK invests $250 mln in U.S. reactor startup TerraPower