Jeong proposes party merger ahead of locals

Jan 23, 2026, 07:57 am

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Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, proposes a merger to the Rebuilding Korea Party during an emergency press conference at the National Assembly on Jan. 22. / Photo by Song Eui-ju

Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on Jan. 22 made a surprise proposal for a merger with the neighboring Rebuilding Korea Party ahead of the June 3 local elections. The smaller party said it would review the proposal after further deliberation.

At an emergency press conference at the National Assembly, Jeong said, “I propose to the Rebuilding Korea Party that we unite with us.” He added, “We ran separately in the 22nd general election and stood together in the 21st presidential election. Together, we held the Yoon Suk-yeol administration accountable and overcame a national crisis. I hope we can also contest the upcoming local elections together.”

Jeong stressed that the two parties should act as “one team” for the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration, arguing that unity rather than division would better serve voters.

Responding the same day at a supreme council meeting in North Jeolla Province, Cho Kuk, leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, said he had met Jeong late the previous afternoon and been briefed on the proposal. “While the announcement was sudden, the weight of the proposal is not light,” Cho said, adding that he had instructed the party to promptly convene a lawmakers’ meeting and a party affairs committee. “We will deliberate and decide in line with the will of the public and our members, and report the outcome to the people.”

Cho agreed with the overarching goal of ensuring the success of the Lee administration and securing another progressive term, but noted differences in policy direction. “I fully agree with the objective,” he said, “but the Rebuilding Korea Party is also pursuing progressive future agendas that the Democratic Party does not address. We will carefully listen to the voices of citizens and party members to determine the best path to achieve both historic tasks.”

Democratic Party chief spokesperson Park Soo-hyun later told reporters that Jeong and Cho had discussed the issue on multiple occasions prior to the public proposal.

#Jeong Cheong-rae #Cho Kuk #Democratic Party of Korea #Rebuilding Korea Party