Calls to halt merger mount, Jeong leadership tested

Feb 11, 2026, 08:11 am

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Rep. Park Hong-geun of the Democratic Party organizes notes to post on social media at the National Assembly on Monday, following the final lawmakers’ meeting held earlier in the day regarding a potential merger with the Rebuilding Korea Party. / Yonhap

Mounting calls within the Democratic Party to halt merger talks with the Rebuilding Korea Party have placed party leader Jeong Cheong-rae at a critical crossroads, raising serious questions about his leadership.

Jeong’s blueprint to consolidate party control through a merger is now on the verge of collapse, as internal opposition has intensified since he first proposed the idea. With party sentiment increasingly tilting toward rejection, critics argue that the merger drive has come to be seen as a unilateral move driven by personal political ambition — a perception that could significantly weaken Jeong’s authority if the plan is abandoned.

According to political sources on Monday, opinion within the Democratic Party has largely shifted toward suspending the merger process. Since early this month, Jeong has met with first-term, mid-level and senior lawmakers to hear their views, but opposition voices — citing poor timing and calling for an immediate halt — have consistently outweighed support.

Jeong concluded his internal consultations on Monday, beginning with a meeting with second-term lawmakers followed by a full general meeting of party lawmakers. Kang Jun-hyun, head of the operating committee of the second-term lawmakers’ group The Minjae, said after the meeting, “Second-term lawmakers have largely reached a consensus. We believe the merger discussions should be stopped immediately so the party can focus on state affairs and legislative priorities.”

A similar consensus reportedly emerged during the general meeting. Senior spokesperson Park Soo-hyun said, “While many lawmakers acknowledge the need for unity in principle, they believe that pushing ahead with a merger under the current circumstances would be difficult. They asked the leadership to swiftly reach a conclusion through the supreme council, reflecting the outcome of the meeting.”

Concerns over the process and procedures surrounding the merger played a decisive role in shifting internal opinion. Jeong has faced criticism for pursuing the merger without sufficient prior consultation with party lawmakers, including members of the supreme council. As a result, the controversy has deepened internal divisions and even strained relations with the Rebuilding Korea Party, previously regarded as an allied political force.

Timing has also emerged as a major issue, with many lawmakers arguing that pursuing a merger ahead of the June 3 local elections would be inappropriate. Kang noted that some second-term lawmakers suggested postponing the issue until after the elections and establishing a separate deliberative body to carefully review the matter.

Political observers warn that if the merger push is formally suspended, Jeong’s position within the party could be seriously shaken. From the proposal to introduce a “one person, one vote” system for delegates and party members to the merger initiative itself, Jeong’s moves have repeatedly drawn criticism as self-serving political maneuvers, prompting expectations of intensified checks on his leadership.

Indeed, more than 70 pro–Lee Jae-myung lawmakers — including supreme council members Lee Eon-ju, Kang Deuk-gu and Hwang Myung-seon, who have openly opposed the merger — are reportedly moving to form a separate internal grouping, signaling a growing challenge to Jeong’s authority.

Jang Seung-jin, a professor of political science at Kookmin University, said the damage could have lasting consequences. “With cracks already visible in the party leadership over issues such as the second comprehensive special counsel recommendation, withdrawing the merger proposal would inevitably deal a major blow,” he said. “The negative impact is likely to extend through the local elections and into the next party convention.”

Park Soo-hyun said the party’s supreme council would make a final decision on the merger later Monday. “Given that the on-site supreme council meeting scheduled for tomorrow has been postponed, there will likely be an opportunity to explain the decision to the public,” he said.

#Democratic Party #Rebuilding Korea Party #merger talks #Jeong Cheong-rae