Supreme Council: "We Must Prevent Further Confusion"
Integration to Be Pursued After Local Elections, Centered on the Integration Promotion Preparatory Committee
Jung Cheongrae: "Regretful That the All-Member Vote Could Not Be Realized"
The Democratic Party of Korea decided on the 10th to suspend all discussions on a merger with the Joguk Hyeoksin Party before the June 3 local elections.
Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, held a closed Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly this evening and then said in a briefing, "Today, together with the Democratic Party's emergency Supreme Council, we decided to suspend merger talks before the local elections."
Regarding the proposal to merge with the Joguk Hyeoksin Party, Jeong said, "It was solely out of loyalty to achieving victory in the local elections and ensuring the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration," adding, "We have seen how integration has exerted great power in elections. For the complete eradication of the forces of rebellion, victory through integration was desperately needed."
Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is announcing the results after concluding a closed Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 10th to discuss merger talks with Joguk Hyeoksindang. Yonhap
However, he said, "The integration proposal has caused many concerns and worries both inside and outside the party," and acknowledged, "It is also true that the positive synergy expected from integration has run into difficulties." Jeong explained the circumstances by saying, "I had no choice but to take seriously the public opinion inside and outside the party that we must prevent further confusion." However, he added that he "cannot help but feel very regretful" that a party-wide vote on integration could not be realized.
Although merger talks will be halted before the local elections, preparations afterward will continue. Jeong went on to say, "We have decided to form a Promotion and Preparation Committee for solidarity and integration, and we propose that the Joguk Hyeoksin Party also form a preparation committee," adding, "After the local elections, we will pursue integration centered on the Integration Promotion and Preparation Committee." In other words, while merger talks are suspended, the parties will discuss solidarity measures for the local elections, such as unifying candidates, and then resume efforts toward integration after the elections.
He also apologized for the conflicts that arose within the Democratic Party of Korea and between the Democratic Party of Korea and the Joguk Hyeoksin Party over the merger issue. Jeong said, "Whether they supported or opposed integration with the Joguk Hyeoksin Party, all of us have placed the party before ourselves," adding, "Support came from love for the party, and opposition also came from love for the party." He further stated, "Everything that happened during the process of discussing integration was due to my shortcomings," and added, "I apologize to the people of this country, to the members of the Democratic Party of Korea, and to the members of the Joguk Hyeoksin Party."
Previously, the Democratic Party of Korea had planned to gather internal opinions through a general meeting of its lawmakers and then finalize its stance on the merger at a Supreme Council meeting. The general meeting of lawmakers was held on this day, and it is reported that a majority of lawmakers expressed the view that the merger should be halted.
Park Soohyun, chief spokesperson of the Democratic Party of Korea, said after the general meeting of lawmakers, "About 20 lawmakers spoke," and explained, "Summarizing their remarks, we shared the perception that, even if the proposal to merge with the Joguk Hyeoksin Party stemmed from genuine intentions to support the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration's state affairs by securing a sweeping victory in the local elections, it is now resulting in conflicts that have arisen during the promotion process." He continued, "Lawmakers generally agreed on the need for integration, but they said that, under the current circumstances, although there is justification for pursuing a merger, it is difficult to push ahead with it, and they asked the Supreme Council to swiftly reach a conclusion that reflects the outcome of today's general meeting of lawmakers."
Jung Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, announces the results and shakes hands with Supreme Council members after concluding a closed Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly on the 10th that was held to discuss a merger with the Joguk Hyeoksin Party. Yonhap News
According to accounts, during the closed-door general meeting of lawmakers, the prevailing opinion was largely that "merger talks should be stopped." A first-term lawmaker from the Honam region conveyed the mood by saying, "I heard many people say that they are not opposed to a merger itself, but they would like us to stop doing it right now." A second-term lawmaker from the Chungcheong region also conveyed the atmosphere, saying, "The general consensus is that it is time to make a decision and that this cannot be dragged out any longer." The lawmaker added, "Supreme Council members and others should also apologize for the conflicts they have caused," and said, "Since the conflicts have been greatly magnified, an apology is also a means to quickly mend the rift."
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