The Democratic Party of Korea said it is open to future communication with the Rebuilding Korea Party regarding an electoral alliance, after merger talks collapsed before the local elections.
"If there is a necessary occasion in the future, there could be communication," the party said. However, it drew a clear line on a proposed meeting between the two party leaders, stating "nothing is currently planned."
Park Soo-hyun, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party, made the remarks to reporters after a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly on the 11th, addressing questions about the nature of the alliance proposed by Rebuilding Korea Party leader Cho Kuk.
Earlier that day, Cho had demanded clarification at an emergency Supreme Council meeting on whether the "alliance and integration" mentioned by the Democratic Party leadership when halting merger discussions referred to an electoral alliance ahead of local elections or was merely an abstract political slogan.
"I understand that Representative Cho also said he would try to understand the true intent of the 'alliance and integration' expression mentioned by Representative Chung," Park explained. "At present, there are no plans for a meeting proposed by Representative Cho or separate communication for such purposes."
Regarding a social media post about the merger by Supreme Council member Kang Deuk-gu the previous day, Park said there was no party-level discussion. Kang had posted that "a merger after the local elections is the President's wish" before quickly deleting it, sparking controversy over presidential interference in party affairs.
Kang had written: "Integration before the local elections is difficult given the current situation, but I am told it is the President's wish to merge after the local elections and hold a unified party convention."
Park responded: "Supreme Council member Kang has already explained it was a mistake, and I understand the Presidential Office has also issued a statement. There was no separate discussion at the party level."
Kang also apologized, saying: "After confirming that unverified information had spread incorrectly, I immediately asked for the post to be taken down. I apologize for causing concern to journalists and others involved, and will ensure this does not happen again."
The Democratic Party approved the establishment of a "Nomination Ombudsman" system during a closed Supreme Council meeting. The system is designed to review cases of unfairness or irrationality that may occur during the nomination screening process and minimize unjust eliminations.
Representative Kwon Hyang-yeop was appointed as head, with Representative Lee Joo-hee, attorney Oh Do-hwan, Ethics Inspection Team Deputy Head Jang In-jae, and Oh Young-kyun from the Central Organization Strengthening Committee serving as members.
The Nomination Ombudsman will allow local council candidates eliminated during the screening process to request additional review at the central party level if they still have objections after appeals at the city and provincial party level.
"The Democratic Party has had internal conflicts during the merger process, but we have carried out our duties without gaps," Park emphasized. "This reflects the party leader's commitment that fair primaries and transparent nominations are the key to victory in the local elections."
