"Decided Without Consulting Members..." Democratic Party Faces Backlash Over Jeong Cheongrae’s Innovation Party Merger Proposal

Democratic Party Leadership Splinters Over Innovation Party Merger Proposal
Supreme Council Members Lee Eonju, Kang Deukgu, and Hwang Myungseon Voice Opposition
Internal Party Conflict Intensifies

After Representative Jeong Cheongrae made a sudden proposal to merge with the National Innovation Party, backlash erupted within the Democratic Party of Korea. The main criticism was that the proposal was made without internal deliberation, and the controversy has grown as even senior party leaders and veteran members have voiced their opposition.

On the 22nd, Lee Eonju, Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, stated on social media, "A merger with the Innovation Party is not a matter that should be pushed forward so abruptly and unilaterally." She pointed out, "Despite this being a critical issue concerning the party's direction, identity, and the sovereignty of its members, not only the members and lawmakers but even the Supreme Council members were not given the opportunity to share the agenda or engage in sufficient discussion in advance."

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the policy members' meeting held at the National Assembly on January 22, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Lee further argued, "Pursuing a merger right before the local elections is unlikely to bring any clear strategic benefit, but it poses a significant risk of increased internal confusion and alienation of centrist voters." She continued, "In the past, having an opposition party with whom we could form alliances allowed us to counter the obstructionist politics of the People Power Party and ensure smooth parliamentary operations. Absorbing the Innovation Party, which played this role, into the ruling party would only serve to trigger a conservative consolidation, recreate the entrenched one-on-one confrontation structure, eliminate diversity, and ultimately run counter to the trend of political reform."

She also expressed concern that Jeong's decision may have been driven by personal political motives. Lee said, "I cannot help but suspect that this merger proposal is a strategic move aimed at the party leader's own political schedule, particularly with re-election in mind, rather than the future of the party." She criticized, "If such a major party matter is pursued in connection with the power structure of a specific individual, it will undermine the values of democracy and member-centered party governance that the Democratic Party has upheld for so long."

Democratic Party Supreme Council member Kang Deukgu also commented on Jeong's merger proposal, saying, "I had no knowledge whatsoever of the merger proposal until just before the Supreme Council meeting at 9:30 a.m. today," and confessed, "I felt a deep sense of self-reproach and severe humiliation." He added, "The meeting held just 20 minutes before the pre-scheduled 9:50 a.m. press conference was not for discussion, but rather a one-sided notification of the party leader's unilateral decision." He continued, "Although the party leader called it his own decision, there was no leadership discussion process leading up to that decision." He declared, "I can no longer tolerate this. Together with my fellow party members, I will work to restore the principles and trust that have been broken."

Hwang Myungseon, another Supreme Council member, also criticized, "It is a clear contradiction to promote a 'party where members are the owners' and implement a one-member-one-vote system, while excluding members from major party decisions." He insisted, "An official and democratic process to confirm the collective will of the members must be initiated immediately."

Park Honggeun, a Democratic Party lawmaker running for Seoul mayor, also pointed out, "Candidates within the party are already actively preparing for the local elections, and in some regions, the election structure has already taken shape." He warned, "If internal conflict grows during the integration process due to disagreements, or if controversy arises over dividing up positions with the Innovation Party, the losses could far outweigh any gains." He added, "If a merger with the Innovation Party is truly necessary, it is not too late to pursue it after the local elections," and expressed concern, "I only hope that today's announcement does not end up causing more harm than good."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Sangwook also stated, "A merger is an extremely important and major issue, so it must be preceded by more democratic debate and a process of gathering opinions." He added, "I oppose proceeding with a merger without sufficient discussion and democratic procedures."