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Democratic Party lawmaker Park Joo-min speaks during a press conference at the National Assembly on Jan. 20. / Yonhap

Lawmaker Park Joo-min of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea said Thursday that a merger with the Rebuilding Korea Party should take place as soon as possible.

Speaking on SBS Radio’s political talk show, Park said he supports a merger and believes it should be carried out promptly if feasible. He added that earlier communication about the plan could have helped the party accept the idea more smoothly, stressing the need for a merger process that creates synergy going forward.

Park said the timing of the merger does not necessarily need to wait until after the June 3 local elections. While acknowledging concerns raised by fellow lawmaker Han Jun-ho and admitting that electoral calculations may exist for candidates, Park emphasized that broader principles outweigh short-term political advantages.

Responding to concerns that the Innovation Party’s more left-leaning role could clash with President Lee Jae-myung’s centrist strategy, Park said the political landscape should be viewed more broadly. He argued that while the Democratic Party may occupy more moderate ground and the Innovation Party positions itself further left, the Democratic Party ultimately needs to stand more firmly on the progressive side, noting that space on the conservative flank remains largely vacant due to the opposition’s weakness.

Park also stressed that the merged party should retain the name “Democratic Party.” He said what is expected from the Rebuilding Korea Party is its firm stance on prosecutorial reform and emphasis on social rights, warning that disputes over party naming or power-sharing could undermine the integrity of the merger process.

On suggestions that Rebuilding Korea Party leader Cho Kuk should serve as a co-leader after the merger, Park said there is significant opposition to the idea even within the Innovation Party itself.