Liberal forces launch ’Unified Democratic Party’

The main opposition Democratic Party and other liberal forces announced Friday their merger and the creation of a new center-left party, a move aimed at boosting their chances in next year's major polls.

The move came after the DP approved the party's merger with the novice party, which was hastily made by close aides of late President Roh Moo-hyun, in a national convention earlier this week. The merger was an attempt to raise their chance of winning the April general elections, which are likely to impact the December presidential race.

It is the first time in 20 years that South Korea will elect a new parliament and a new president in the same year.

The new "Unified Democratic Party" will hold a national convention in mid-January to pick a leader, officials said.

The DP has worked with other progressive groups for months to form a united liberal front, and backed a lawyer-turned-activist independent candidate in the October by-election for Seoul mayor.

The push for a united party gained momentum after new Mayor Park Won-soon, the opposition-backed political novice, defeated a high-profile ruling party rival.

The party still has to decide on a platform and will have a daunting challenge when fielding candidates in local constituencies.

Local media said the conflicts during the DP's national convention, marred with fist-fights among party members, apparently reflected the deep-rooted regionalism and divisive personalities leading factions within the party, which could further spark debates over the nomination process. (Yonhap)