Park Jiwon: "Democratic and Innovation Parties Should Merge Before Local Elections... Innovation Party Lawmakers Fear for the Future"

Calls for Ruling Bloc Unification after Cho Kuk's Pardon
Park Jiwon: "There Are Divided Opinions, But the Merger Will Happen"
Party Leaderships Draw the Line: "Premature"

Park Jiwon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is advocating for a merger between the Democratic Party and the Cho Guk Innovation Party ahead of next June's local elections. On August 12, Park wrote on his social media, "I was the first to call for a pardon for former leader Cho Guk and for the unification of the Democratic Party and the Innovation Party," adding, "I support President Lee Jaemyung's decision to pardon former leader Cho and others." He continued, "There are both supporters and opponents of the pardon and the merger, and in particular, former leader Cho's future political path is something he must decide for himself. While the merger discussions should be conducted by the two parties, I have simply expressed my opinion."

Park Jiwon, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

In an interview on August 11 with the YouTube program "Kim Eunji's NewsIN" by SisaIN, Park was asked whether he thought the political dynamics would change following the pardon of former leader Cho. He responded, "There is talk that former leader Cho might run for mayor of Seoul or Busan, but I don't know. If our ideas, ideologies, and goals are the same, I believe that the Cho Guk Innovation Party and the Democratic Party should merge so that we can win the local elections, the general elections, and even retake the presidency. That is the only way our country can survive."

When asked whether he thought a merger could happen before next year's local elections, Park replied, "There are both supporters and opponents, but I think it will happen. There are currently 12 incumbent lawmakers in the Cho Guk Innovation Party. While I haven't met all of them, they also have concerns about the future." He added, "That's why there are people who support unification and others who oppose it. Of course, there are also divided opinions within our Democratic Party, so we'll have to wait and see." However, he stated, "Some say that if the Cho Guk Innovation Party runs separately in the local elections in the Honam region, it will be difficult for the Democratic Party, but I don't think that's the case."

In December last year, Lee Jaemyung, leader of the Democratic Party, and Cho Guk, leader of the Cho Guk Innovation Party, were seen conversing in the National Assembly plenary session. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

On August 11, ahead of Liberation Day, President Lee decided to grant a special pardon and restoration of rights to 2,188 people, including former leader Cho and his wife. Cho, who was sentenced to two years in prison for his involvement in a college admissions scandal and has been serving his sentence since December last year, will be released at midnight on August 15.

However, the leadership of both parties is refraining from making definitive statements about a merger. Kim Byungjoo, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, said on August 11, "While it is true that the broader pro-government bloc contributed to the impeachment of Yoon Sukyeol and the birth of the Lee Jaemyung administration by uniting the progressive camp, a merger is premature at this time." Seo Wangjin, floor leader of the Cho Guk Innovation Party, also stated, "We have never seriously considered it," and added, "It is more desirable to reflect the diverse political demands of the people through a multi-party system."

In contrast, the People Power Party and the Reform New Party have decided to boycott President Lee's public inauguration ceremony, which will be held at Gwanghwamun Square on August 15, as a protest against the Liberation Day special pardon. Song Eonseok, interim leader and floor leader of the People Power Party, said on August 12, "It is truly regrettable to hear that former leader Cho, who was convicted of admissions fraud, is rumored to be running for mayor of Busan next year. The very act of pardoning Cho Guk is an insult to the public and to the citizens of Busan."