Cho Kuk, leader of the minor liberal Rebuilding Korea Party, said Saturday the party would review a surprise merger proposal from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, stressing that its political values must be safeguarded in any outcome.
Cho and floor leader Rep. Seo Wang-jin said they convened an emergency general meeting at the National Assembly on Saturday to discuss the proposal made by Rep. Jung Chung-rae, chair of the Democratic Party.
Cho briefed all 12 of the party’s sitting lawmakers in a closed-door session on the proposal, which he said he received from Jung on Wednesday and explained the circumstances under which it was delivered.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Cho said the party would deliberate and decide “on the principle that the Rebuilding Korea Party’s independent political DNA must not only be preserved but expanded.” Cho stressed that “under no circumstances should our vision, values or political identity disappear.”
Asked whether any lawmakers had opposed the merger during the meeting, Cho said the debate appeared to be unfolding first within the Democratic Party itself and that his party would respond only after the ruling party finalized its position.
“There appears to be debate within the Democratic Party, which made the proposal, and I expect it will sort out its views through formal procedures,” Cho told repoters. “We will have to give our answer after the Democratic Party’s discussions are concluded.”
On the possibility that talks could be prolonged, Cho said, “That depends on the Democratic Party,” citing media reports of internal debate within the Democratic Party, and added, “In this situation, isn’t it difficult to move on to the next step?”
The Rebuilding Korea Party plans to continue internal consultations at a party executive committee meeting scheduled for Monday.
dagyumji@heraldcorp.com
