The Democratic Party of Korea reiterated its lack of intent to pursue candidate unification in the Pyeongtaek-B parliamentary by-election in Gyeonggi Province, asking, "Does Chairman Cho Kuk have the will for unification?"
Kang Jun-hyun, the Democratic Party's chief spokesperson, made the remarks while meeting with reporters after a press conference at the National Assembly's communications hall on Wednesday. "Regarding Pyeongtaek, the chairman has spoken on the matter, and I also addressed it yesterday," Kang said. The previous day, Democratic Party Chairman Jung Chung-rae had drawn a line on the status of unification negotiations in Pyeongtaek-B, saying, "There has been no movement whatsoever."
The Pyeongtaek-B race has shaped up into a five-way contest, with Kim Yong-nam of the Democratic Party, Yoo Eui-dong of the People Power Party, Cho Kuk of the Rebuilding Korea Party, and Kim Jae-yeon of the Progressive Party completing their candidate registrations the previous day.
In response to the People Power Party's offensive over the assault record of Jung Won-oh, the Democratic Party's Seoul mayoral candidate, the Democratic Party launched a counter-offensive against People Power Party Seoul mayoral candidate Oh Se-hoon. Chief Spokesperson Kang criticized, "Pushing aside the Sewol ferry memorial from Gwanghwamun, a public space for citizens, and pouring 20.7 billion won of taxpayers' money to create an awkward structure shaped like 'present arms' is unacceptable."
On the unification of mayoral candidates with the Progressive Party for the Ulsan local election, Kang said, "The Democratic Party and the Progressive Party are scheduled to make an announcement regarding electoral cooperation and unification related to basic municipal head elections in Ulsan and Busan." He added, "It encompasses mayors, basic municipal heads, and even metropolitan council members," noting that "the secretaries-general of both parties will announce the details today."
Asked whether follow-up measures were planned given the narrowing gap in approval ratings with the People Power Party, Kang responded, "From the party's standpoint, we are working to widen the gap." He added, "Frankly, when you go out into the field, the atmosphere is good. As election season approaches, isn't it natural for both conservatives and progressives to rally?"
