Ruling party to launch alliance body with Rebuilding Korea

Feb 26, 2026, 07:52 am

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Democratic Party leader Chung Cheong-rae (left) and Rebuilding Korea Party leader Cho Kuk speak at a rally calling for the inclusion of the May 18 spirit in the Constitution at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building on Feb. 25. /Song Eui-ju

The Democratic Party of Korea has begun formal preparations to establish a committee aimed at promoting alliance and integration with the Rebuilding Korea Party ahead of the June 3 local elections.

Park Soo-hyun, senior spokesperson of the Democratic Party, said after a Supreme Council meeting on Feb. 25 that the proposed body — tentatively named the “Preparatory Committee for Solidarity and Integration” — will be led by Secretary-General Cho Seung-rae and composed in a streamlined manner, mainly of party bureau chiefs.

“The committee will be formed this week and reported to the Supreme Council next week for approval,” Park said.

Earlier, party leader Chung Cheong-rae proposed creating a joint committee following the collapse of merger talks, and Cho Kuk, leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, accepted the suggestion.

However, differences over the scope and scale of cooperation delayed progress. With the June 3 local elections approaching, the Democratic Party has now opted to push forward at the secretary-general level.

The Rebuilding Korea Party has continued to press for specific terms of cooperation, publicly demanding that the Democratic Party refrain from nominating candidates in certain regions, including Gunsan and Pyeongtaek. It has also proposed introducing a runoff system for metropolitan mayoral races in Gwangju and Daegu, as well as legislation to prevent uncontested elections for metropolitan council seats.

The Democratic Party maintains that its principle is to field candidates in all by-election districts.

Separately, the Rebuilding Korea Party announced bold nomination screening measures aimed at encouraging youth participation.

Secretary-General Lee Hae-min said at a press briefing that the party will fully waive nomination screening fees for candidates aged 29 and under and cover all required deposits to the National Election Commission.

The party will also grant up to a 30 percent bonus in screening and primary evaluations for youth and female candidates — a higher rate than that offered by the Democratic Party (25 percent) and the People Power Party (20 percent).

As negotiations over electoral cooperation continue, attention is focused on whether the two parties can narrow their differences in time for the upcoming local polls.

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