Blue House Says "No Special Discussions in Advance" on Democratic Party and Cho Kuk Innovation Party Merger Proposal

Kang Yujeong, spokesperson, is briefing on the repatriation of suspects from the Cambodian scam organization at the Blue House Press Hall on the 22nd. Photo by Yonhap News

The Blue House announced on the 22nd that "there have been no special discussions in advance" regarding the proposed merger between the Democratic Party of Korea and the Cho Kuk Innovation Party.

Kang Yujeong, spokesperson for the Blue House, made this statement during a briefing at the Press Hall earlier in the day, responding to a question about whether there had been any communication between the Blue House and the two parties concerning the merger. Kang stated, "We are monitoring the news coming from the National Assembly, as these matters are being discussed there."

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party, held an emergency press conference on the same day and announced, "We propose to the Cho Kuk Innovation Party: let us unite." He added, "I believe that the spirit of the times pursued by the Democratic Party and the Cho Kuk Innovation Party is not different."

Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, responded to the proposal by saying, "We plan to decide whether to merge through a general assembly of lawmakers and the party executive committee soon." He added, "The Cho Kuk Innovation Party will discuss and decide according to the direction indicated by the will and sentiment of the people, and we will report the outcome as soon as it is reached."

Meanwhile, it has been reported that the merger proposal between the two parties was first made by Jeong to Cho late yesterday afternoon.