PPP: "Democratic-Innovation Merger Is a Distraction from Unification Church and Nomination Bribery Allegations... Special Prosecution Must Come First"

“Collusion for Power... Must Enter Special Prosecution Negotiations”

On January 22, the People Power Party criticized the Democratic Party of Korea's proposal to merge with the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, calling it “an attempt to distract from the allegations involving the Unification Church and nomination bribery.”

In a statement released that day, spokesperson Cho Yongsul said, “Democratic Party leader Jung Cheongrae’s absurd merger proposal is nothing more than an expression of his political ambition to strengthen his own position within the party.”

He then urged Jung, “If you claim to be qualified to talk about the victory of the Lee Jaemyung administration, you should immediately enter into negotiations for a special prosecution to investigate the widespread political corruption that the majority of the public is demanding, rather than pursuing political collusion.”

Jang Donghyuk, the leader of the People Power Party, who has been on a hunger strike for eight days demanding the enactment of a 'dual special prosecution' law regarding the Unification Church and nomination bribes, is lying inside a tent in the Rotunda Hall of the National Assembly on the 22nd while the Supreme Council meeting is being held. 2026.1.22 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Regarding the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, he added, “Our position is that if there are suspicions of illegal acts by any political force, including the Democratic Party and the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, they must be thoroughly investigated by a special prosecutor.” He warned, “If the Cho Kuk Innovation Party remains silent on the special prosecution and instead succumbs to the temptation of political collusion through nominations, it will not be able to escape the stern judgment of the people.”

Spokesperson Ham Inkyung also criticized, “To the public, it looks like the ‘big bus’ Democratic Party, which is recklessly speeding out of control, is extending a hand to the ‘hypocritical’ Cho Kuk Innovation Party, inviting them to get on board instead of drooling over a few local election districts.”

Ham continued, “The Democratic Party treats local elections solely as a tool for extending its power. If the two parties join forces for the local elections, it will only result in ‘seat alliance politics,’ where they use their size to cover up each other’s faults and avoid responsibility by sheer numbers.”

He added, “Before talking about winning the local elections, the Democratic Party should first apologize to the public for the suspicion that it has turned the nomination process into a ‘black market.’ Accepting a special prosecution for the sake of uncovering the truth should come before any merger for the sake of holding onto power.”