Rep. Park Beom-kye, head of the Democratic Party of Korea’s Great Integration Task Force, stated on the 2nd that Rep. Lee Hae-sik and Chung Choon-saeng, Secretary-General of the Rebuilding Korea Party, were “discussing the merger between the two parties at a working level.” In response, Secretary-General Chung immediately refuted the claim, stating, “This is not true,” sparking a war of words.
Rep. Park appeared on a broadcast hosted by YouTuber Kim Ou-joon on the 2nd and said, “Rep. Lee Hae-sik is holding working-level discussions with Rep. Chung Choon-saeng, Secretary-General of the Rebuilding Korea Party,” adding, “Party leader Kim Min-seok has stated that if the Democratic Party and the Rebuilding Korea Party follow democratic procedures and reach a majority consensus, a merger is possible.” Rep. Lee is in charge of merger-related matters with the Rebuilding Korea Party within the Great Integration Task Force.
Rep. Park stated, “We are keeping both options open: merger and alliance,” and emphasized, “This is not about finding an arithmetic average or compromise that erodes either party’s identity, but rather discussing alliance and integration while clearly maintaining each party’s distinct identity.” He then urged the Rebuilding Korea Party, which has been cautious about integration talks, saying, “I request that Rep. Shin Jang-sik consider adopting a more forward-looking perspective.”
However, after the broadcast, Secretary-General Chung issued a statement refuting Rep. Park’s remarks, saying, “I have never engaged in any discussions regarding integration with Rep. Lee.” The secretary-general added, “The Rebuilding Korea Party’s position is clear: integration and alliances cannot be achieved through slogans but must be based on trust. If the Democratic Party truly desires integration and alliance, we request that they show respect and courtesy toward the opposing party.”
He stressed, “The starting point for restoring trust is the implementation of the agreement reached at the ‘Roundtable Meeting,’ which united forces for the resolution of insurrection and regime change.” Earlier, the Democratic Party had signed the Roundtable Declaration with the Rebuilding Korea Party, the Progressive Party, the Basic Income Party, the Social Democratic Party, and four other parties, agreeing to ease requirements for forming negotiation blocs and introduce a runoff voting system.
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