Hong Ikpyo: "Democratic Party?Cho Kuk Party Merger Not Coordinated with Blue House... Was Informed in Advance"

Hong Ikpyo, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs to the President, visited the National Assembly on the 21st for a courtesy call and greeted Han Byungdo, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Hong Ikpyo, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs to the Blue House, stated on January 22 that he had been contacted in advance by party leader Jeong Cheongrae regarding the discussions on the unification of the Democratic Party of Korea and the Cho Kuk Innovation Party.

Speaking to reporters at the Chunchugwan press center that afternoon, Hong clarified, "This process was not carried out in consultation with the Blue House," but added, "However, the unification of the two parties has always been a long-held belief of President Lee Jaemyung."

When asked for his response to the potential unification of the two parties, Hong said, "This is a matter for the Democratic Party of Korea and the Cho Kuk Innovation Party to handle," drawing a clear line by adding, "It is not my place to dictate what should be done."

Regarding the timing of the contact from party leader Jeong, Hong commented, "It could become a point of controversy," and declined to elaborate. However, he did explain that after paying a courtesy visit to Jeong on the 21st, he was separately informed of the announcement.

On the same day, party leader Jeong held an emergency press conference and announced, "I propose to the Cho Kuk Innovation Party: let us merge." He emphasized, "I believe the spirit of the times pursued by the Democratic Party of Korea and the Cho Kuk Innovation Party is not different."

In response to this proposal, Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, stated, "We plan to decide on the merger soon through a general assembly of lawmakers and the party executive committee," and added, "The Cho Kuk Innovation Party will discuss and decide in line with the will and direction of the people, and we will report the outcome as soon as it is determined."

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