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An internal document from the Democratic Party of Korea outlining plans to finalize a merger with the Rebuilding Korea Party by next month’s 3rd and assign designated supreme council positions to the Rebuilding Korea Party was reported on the 6th, escalating internal disputes between supporters of Lee Jae Myung and those backing Jung Chung-rae. Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae remarked, “No member of the supreme council was informed about or received any report regarding this information,” and emphasized, “We need to investigate who disclosed it and take responsibility.” Members of the pro-Lee Jae Myung faction in the supreme council called for an official apology for the secret deal and urged an immediate stop to the merger process.

The following day, Dong-A Ilbo stated that it had obtained an internal document from the Democratic Party titled “Review of Merger Procedures and Timeline (Draft).” According to the report, the document outlined a timeline: initial discussions with the Rebuilding Korea Party by the 6th, approval of the merger plan by the supreme council on the 9th, member consultations from the 10th to the 19th, approval by the party affairs committee on the 20th, voting by members with voting rights from the 21st to the 24th, approval by the central committee on the 25th or 27th, and registration of the merger on the 27th or by the 3rd of the following month. It also contained the statement, “Agreement on the scope of current leadership succession and allocation ratio for the Rebuilding Korea Party within the unified leadership (e.g., nominated supreme council seats).”

The Democratic Party’s media office stated, “Following the party leader’s merger proposal on January 22, this document was created as a practical assessment of merger processes according to party rules and previous merger examples. It was never formally shared or discussed in meetings.” The Rebuilding Korea Party’s media office said, “No representative from the Rebuilding Korea Party, including leader Cho Kuk, was informed or involved in this matter.”

However, during the Democratic Party’s supreme council meeting at the National Assembly that morning, members from the pro-Lee Jae Myung faction criticized Jung Chung-rae, referencing the document. Hwang Myeong-seon, a member of the Supreme Council, stated, “It has become clear that this merger proposal was a ‘fixed-answer’ merger (답정너) that had already been decided beforehand.” Hwang added, “According to the document, the merger would be completed within five weeks of the leader’s initial proposal. Talks with the Rebuilding Korea Party would end in 10 days, and the process would be finalized by no later than March 3rd.” Hwang also mentioned, “The document outlines plans to prevent disadvantages for those who have left the party or faced disciplinary actions, and even includes nomination rights for the North Jeolla governor position. This timeline and agreement could only have been set through a secret deal,” and demanded, “Immediately stop all merger-related procedures and reveal the document, its author, and the conditions under which it was created.” Hwang further called for, “An apology to party members for the suspicion of a hasty, secret merger and an immediate halt to the merger process.”

A member of the Supreme Council, Kang Deuk-gu, said, “A very detailed merger timeline has come to light. The leader says they were unaware, but we need to determine if this was genuinely unknown, whether it was directed by the leader, when it was created, if there were discussions with Cho Kuk (Rebuilding Korea Party), and if there was an agreement on distribution.” Kang further stated, “If the document’s assertion that one seat on the Supreme Council would be given to the Rebuilding Korea Party is accurate, it represents a secret deal. The leader must assume complete responsibility.”

A member of the Supreme Council, Lee Un-ju, shared survey findings indicating significant resistance to the merger, questioning, “Why continue with a merger that lacks public backing, creates internal conflict, and is opposed just before the elections?” Lee advised, “Cease it immediately and concentrate on assisting the president’s administration.”

A member of the Pro-Jung Chung-rae faction, Lee Seong-yoon, responded by saying, “There’s an old saying, ‘Don’t discuss family matters outside the house.’ Internal problems should be handled within.” Lee further stated, “Expressing differences publicly as if the party is split weakens its unity. The document is said to be a practical draft that the leader is unaware of. Kindly clarify the situation to the party members.”

Jung Chung-rae remarked, “I was taken aback by the Dong-A Ilbo article I saw on my way to work.” He mentioned, “A draft that was never officially discussed, reported, or implemented was leaked.” Jung directed Secretary-General Cho Seung-rae, “Conduct a thorough investigation into who disclosed the document and take appropriate action.” On the content, Jung noted, “It includes aspects that might lead to confusion. I found out about it through the news, and no member of the supreme council was informed or received any report.”

After the meeting, Cho Seung-rae said to reporters, “The document seems to have been written around January 27. It was neither reported to nor discussed by the leader or the supreme council. Therefore, the timeline mentioned by Kang Deuk-gu does not match the actual developments.” Cho stated, “The seven-page document outlines general merger processes, party rules, and previous merger examples. It refutes claims of a secret agreement.” Cho further noted, “Producing the document is not an issue. Following the leader’s merger proposal, examining procedures, challenges, and past cases is a practical step. The document was created through discussions with me, but the leak is the real problem.”

However, Democratic Party legislator Park Hong-geun held a press event at the National Assembly, stating, “Considering the document’s detailed nature, it is very unlikely the party leader was not aware.” Park mentioned, “The timeline and procedures are too complex to be just routine assessments, suggesting thorough internal conversations. The leader needs to openly disclose recent specific discussions with Cho Kuk, his genuine position on the merger, and future strategies.”

Park stated, “If the circumstances deteriorate without a sensible solution, to maintain party loyalty, effective governance, and success in local elections, we might need to implement ‘unusual actions.’” Park further mentioned, “We will bring together members of the supreme council, party affairs committee, and central committee who support the idea of ‘reassessing the merger following the local elections’ and advocate for structural unity.”

Legislator Han Jun-ho, who participated in the press briefing, stated, “Imposing deadlines for political choices without discussion is hard to understand for someone familiar with party matters. The leader needs to explain, offer an apology, and provide clarification.”