Internal merger document of the Democratic Party of Korea revealed externally
Includes plans such as "appointing an Innovation Party member to the Supreme Council"
Backlash grows within the Democratic Party of Korea
As controversy over the proposed merger between the Democratic Party of Korea and the Cho Kuk Innovation Party continues to grow, an internal document has emerged as a new flashpoint. Although an internal Democratic Party document related to the merger was released to the media, both parties drew a line, saying there had been no prior agreement.
On the 6th, in connection with reports that an internal document had been drafted containing a detailed merger timeline and the composition of the Supreme Council, an official of the Democratic Party said, "We made a (merger) proposal, and as a working-level official, it was only natural to collect past cases and make working-level preparations," adding, "Democratic Party leader Jung Cheongrae and Cho Kuk Innovation Party leader Cho Kuk have not exchanged a single word about the relevant details." The Democratic Party further stated in a separate notice that "(the document in question) has never been reported to or discussed in any official meeting."
The Innovation Party likewise stated, "The content in question has not been delivered to or discussed with anyone on our side, including leader Cho Kuk," and added, "The reported document's merger timetable, leadership composition, and reinstatement criteria were drafted without any prior consultation with the Innovation Party."
The document, disclosed through media reports, contains a specific merger schedule, as well as a plan to appoint a figure from the Innovation Party as an appointed member of the Supreme Council, and criteria for reinstating those who moved from the Democratic Party to the Innovation Party when they run in local elections.
Kang Deukgu, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party who is critical of the merger, argued, "Even if the party leader says he did not know, it must be clarified when the document was drafted, whether it was discussed with leader Cho, and what the process and terms of consultation were," adding, "If this is true, it amounts to a secret conversation." Another Supreme Council member, Lee Eonju of the Democratic Party, said in a public statement at a Supreme Council meeting, "Even when everyone is applauding and pushing forward, mergers are always plagued by noise at the working level," and urged, "Let's stop this immediately and focus on the elections and supporting the president's governance."
By contrast, Seo Wangjin, floor leader of the Innovation Party, said in a CBS radio interview that criticism from some in the Democratic Party describing the Innovation Party as a 'host' and similar terms "goes beyond the bounds of what is acceptable in referring to an allied party," and added, "We believe that serious discussions will only be possible once the Democratic Party restores internal order."
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