Jeong Cheongrae Officially Proposes Merger to Party for National Innovation: "Let's Contest the June 3 Local Elections Together"

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, officially proposed a merger with the Party for National Innovation on the 22nd.

At an emergency press conference that day, Jeong stated, "I propose this to the Party for National Innovation," and added, "Let us unite."

He remarked, "When the Party for National Innovation was founded, it spoke of being together yet separate. The 22nd general election was contested separately, while the 21st presidential election was fought together. The Democratic Party called for judgment against the Yoon Suk-yeol authoritarian regime, while the Party for National Innovation declared that three years is too long. We both opposed the Yoon Suk-yeol administration." He continued, "We overcame the December 3 Martial Law together, and we jointly contested the presidential election to launch the Lee Jaemyung administration. I hope we can also contest the June 3 local elections together this time."

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding an emergency press conference at the National Assembly on the 22nd, proposing a merger with the Party for National Innovation. 2026.1.22 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Jeong added, "The success of the Lee Jaemyung administration and victory in the local elections represent the spirit of the times," and emphasized, "I believe that the spirit pursued by the Democratic Party and the Party for National Innovation is not different." He continued, "Now, the Democratic Party and the Party for National Innovation should act as one team, not separately, based on the spirit of the times, to achieve the goal of a successful Lee Jaemyung administration. I hope a working-level table will be set up as soon as possible for the merger of the two parties."