Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Chung Chung-rae on Monday blamed the People Power Party for delaying the Daegu-North Gyeongsang administrative merger special bill, demanding opposition leaders "apologize to the nation on their knees."
"If the Daegu-North Gyeongsang merger falls through this time, it is 100% the responsibility of the People Power Party," Chung said at a field supreme council meeting held in Daegu.
Chung criticized the opposition's recent shift to support the merger, saying PPP leaders should "beg forgiveness from Daegu and North Gyeongsang residents before making any proposals to the Democratic Party."
"President Lee Jae-myung has pledged to invest 20 trillion won over four installments of 5 trillion won each, apply special provisions, and grant various authorities to improve the lives of Daegu and North Gyeongsang residents," Chung said. "Why are the lawmakers from this region opposing it?"
Responding to PPP lawmaker Joo Ho-young's request that the Democratic Party confirm the merger bill as party policy for February passage, Chung fired back: "What kind of absurd logic is this? Let me return it as is—please confirm the February passage as People Power Party policy first."
"I understand the People Power Party is in panic mode with their approval rating falling into the 10% range, but let's have some conscience," Chung added. "I will ask each one individually. Floor Leader Song Eon-seok and Chairman Jang Dong-hyeok—are you for or against?"
On the separate South Chungcheong-Daejeon merger bill, which the PPP continues to oppose, Chung said: "Who first proposed the South Chungcheong-Daejeon merger? Wasn't it South Chungcheong Governor Kim Tae-heum and Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo, both from the People Power Party? Now that the Democratic Party supports it, they oppose it. Is the People Power Party a contrarian party?"
Making his second visit to Daegu since becoming party chairman, Chung highlighted budget allocations for the region, including 2.5 billion won for Nakdong River safety measures and 3 billion won for the East Daegu venture AI hub.
On the KOSPI's breach of 6,000, Chung declared: "The painful joke that 'leaving the Korean market is a matter of intelligence' is now a thing of the past. The stock market has normalized."
He also noted that housing prices in Seoul's Gangnam three districts fell for the first time in two years as capital shifted from real estate to equities.