Democratic Party of Korea leader Chung Chung-rae proposed a summit with People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk on Wednesday to discuss the administrative integration of South Chungcheong Province and Daejeon.
The proposal comes as tensions escalate between the ruling and opposition parties, with the PPP staging tent protests against the Democratic Party's unilateral passage of bills.
"The Chungnam-Daejeon integration should not be opposed based on electoral calculations," Chung said at a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly. "The People Power Party initially advocated for this, and various administrative procedures have already been undertaken."
Chung added: "I propose a summit between party leaders for substantive progress on administrative integration. We are both from South Chungcheong. Let us put our heads together and have a sincere dialogue for balanced national development and the development of our hometown."
The Democratic Party also signaled it would proceed unilaterally if the PPP declines the meeting.
Floor leader Han Byung-do said the PPP "is paralyzing the National Assembly by boycotting plenary sessions, breaking bipartisan agreements, and opposing even bills they support."
"We urge the People Power Party to immediately stop holding public welfare hostage with obstinance and sophistry and cooperate with convening plenary sessions," Han said. "Otherwise, we will have no choice but to proceed with unilateral passage."
Chung also pledged swift processing of the Special Act on U.S. Investment. Despite a U.S. court ruling blocking the Trump administration's tariff policies, the party will proceed with legislation as previously agreed.
"Although an illegality ruling was issued in the United States, we will process the U.S. special committee matters as quickly as possible through bipartisan agreement," Chung said.