Ruling party bristles at Cho’s merger deadline

Feb 09, 2026, 08:06 am

		0
Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, speaks at a press conference at the National Assembly on Feb. 8 regarding a potential merger with the Democratic Party. / Photo by Song Eui-joo

Senior figures from the pro–Lee Jae-myung faction within the Democratic Party of Korea on Saturday voiced strong anger over Cho Kuk’s declaration of a Feb. 13 deadline for the party to state its position on a possible merger, saying the move made them feel “humiliated” and “insulted.”

Lee Eon-ju, a Supreme Council member aligned with President Lee Jae-myung, wrote on social media that Cho should “focus on his own party’s affairs.” Lee has repeatedly criticized Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae over what she called a sudden and unilateral merger proposal involving the Cho Kuk Innovation Party.

Lee argued that Jeong’s merger suggestion was never discussed or approved by the party’s Supreme Council and amounted only to a personal opinion. “Jeong himself has acknowledged procedural problems several times and admitted it was merely a personal proposal,” she said, adding that there was therefore no valid party-level offer and no obligation for the Democratic Party to state a position on the merger.

She stressed that unless the Democratic Party makes a new, formal proposal through proper procedures, there is no reason for the Innovation Party to demand an official response. Lee also expressed regret that Jeong’s “hasty personal proposal” may have caused confusion, calling it unfortunate from the standpoint of a party leader.

Lee criticized Cho for setting a specific deadline while the ruling party is already mired in internal conflict. “What is Cho in such a hurry for, to the point of pressuring our party by naming a date?” she asked, noting that public opinion polls show broad skepticism toward a merger among centrists, younger voters, and key regions. She urged Cho not to ignore facts or exaggerate the views of a minority.

“Just as the Innovation Party has its procedures, so does ours,” Lee said. “Show courtesy to an allied party. We will handle our own affairs.” She added that the Democratic Party would focus on supporting the president’s governance and building “Lee Jae-myung’s Democratic Party” to prepare for the country’s future.

Another Supreme Council member, Kang Deuk-gu, said he felt “deep humiliation and insult” as both a party member and leader over what he described as Cho’s unilateral ultimatum. He emphasized that the Democratic Party has not even formally begun merger discussions and that its bylaws clearly spell out the procedures required. “The Feb. 13 deadline is unacceptable both in terms of time and process,” he said.

Hwang Myung-sun, also a Supreme Council member, echoed the criticism, calling Cho’s declaration a de facto final ultimatum. He said the party could not possibly finalize an official stance by the proposed date because the process of gathering members’ views has not even started. Hwang suggested that Cho may have set the deadline because he already believes a merger is unrealistic and wants to wrap up the issue publicly.

“I agree with Cho’s assessment,” Hwang said. “The merger proposal should now be withdrawn. We need to cut off the seeds of conflict and division before it’s too late and return to being a unified team supporting the Lee Jae-myung administration.”

Earlier in the day, Cho told reporters that if the Democratic Party does not decide on an official position before the Lunar New Year holiday begins on Feb. 13, the Innovation Party would consider the merger off the table. The Democratic Party responded that Jeong plans to announce its stance after holding a lawmakers’ meeting on Feb. 10 and completing internal consultations with party members.

#Cho Kuk #Cho Kuk Innovation Party #Democratic Party of Korea #merger deadline #pro-Lee faction