Jung Cheong-rae, leader of South Korea’s Democratic Party, speaks during a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul on Sunday. Photo by Asia Today
Feb. 10 (Asia Today) — Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of South Korea’s Democratic Party, said Monday he has suspended merger talks with the Jo Kuk Innovation Party less than three weeks after publicly proposing the idea, citing internal unity ahead of upcoming local elections.
Jeong told reporters after a party leadership meeting that discussions will be put on hold until after the local elections.
“Until the local elections, we will stop the merger talks,” Jeong said. “Whether people supported or opposed the merger, we all share the spirit of putting the party first. We respect the will of party members. I believe harmony is more urgent than controversy over integration.”
Jeong said the party will form a preparatory committee focused on “solidarity and integration” and will revisit the merger after the local vote.
The Democratic Party’s move comes 19 days after Jeong publicly raised the possibility of merging with the Innovation Party, a smaller liberal party associated with former Justice Minister Cho Kuk.
Jeong also apologized for friction stirred by the discussions.
“Everything that happened during this process was due to my shortcomings,” he said. “I apologize to the public, our party members and members of the Jo Kuk Innovation Party.”
— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260210010003885