Bahk Eun-ji has been with The Korea Times since 2012, building a career across multiple desks. She began at the Business Desk, where she conducted in-depth interviews with key figures in Korea's corporate world. Later, she moved to the Politics & City Desk, focusing on education policy and social affairs. She later served as team leader of the digital content team, leading curation efforts on the newspaper’s homepage and reshaping print stories for social media audiences to enhance digital reach. Now back on the Politics Desk, she covers the National Assembly and the Ministry of National Defense, with a renewed focus on political developments.
DPK proposes merger with Rebuilding Korea Party before June local elections
Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Jung Chung-rae, left, shakes hands with Cho Kuk, the leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Nov. 26, 2025. Yonhap
By Bahk Eun-ji
Minor party takes cautious stance to proposal
The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) on Thursday proposed a merger with the minor progressive Rebuilding Korea Party (RKP), a move that could reshape the political landscape ahead of the June 3 local elections.
The proposal, however, has drawn a mix of support and skepticism both within and outside the ruling party.
DPK Chairman Jung Chung-rae formally floated the idea during a press briefing at the National Assembly, calling on the RKP to join forces under a single banner.
“I propose that we merge and move forward together,” he said. “There is no reason for us to contest the local elections separately.”
Framing the proposal as a step toward unity within the broader liberal camp, Jung said the two parties have already stood together at critical political moments.
“We opposed the Yoon Suk Yeol administration together, overcame the martial law crisis together and worked together to bring about the Lee Jae Myung administration,” he said. “What the times demand now is victory in the local elections and the success of the current government.”
Jung added that the DPK was ready to begin formal talks immediately and proposed launching a working-level consultative body “as soon as possible.” He stressed that the values and policy directions of the two parties were largely aligned, arguing that a merger would strengthen governance rather than diluting political identity.
The proposal comes as the two parties are expected to compete in liberal strongholds such as North and South Jeolla Province, as some members of the RKP are former DPK figures, including party chief Cho Kuk, who held top government positions under former President Moon Jae-in. If realized, the merger would have a significant impact on the elections, raising liberals’ chances of winning not only traditional strongholds but also other regions.
The RKP responded cautiously.
Cho confirmed his receipt of the proposal from Jung the previous day, but emphasized that no decision had been made.
“We will discuss and decide in accordance with the will of the people and our party members,” Cho said at a leadership meeting in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province. “Once a conclusion is reached, we will report it transparently to the public.”
Cho acknowledged the political weight of the proposal, saying it was not a matter to be taken lightly.
“I fully agree with the goal of ensuring the success of the Lee administration,” he said. “At the same time, our party has pursued its own reform agenda, including political reform and social change, and those considerations must also be taken into account.”
Within the DPK, however, the proposal was met with internal unease over both its timing and handling. Rep. Jang Chul-min criticized what he called a unilateral move, saying many lawmakers first learned of the merger through media reports.
“I oppose pushing ahead with a merger without properly consulting party members,” Jang wrote on social media. “Even lawmakers were caught off guard. A matter of this magnitude cannot be handled like a surprise announcement.”
Opposition figures also weighed in.
Rep. Lee Jun-seok, leader of the minor conservative Reform Party, mocked the situation while effectively endorsing the logic behind the merger.
“The DPK and the RKP are like the same Chinese restaurant operating with two different phone numbers,” Lee told reporters. “Politics does not work that way. If they are essentially the same, then they should merge.”
He dismissed speculation that his own party might seek electoral cooperation with the main opposition People Power Party, saying there was “no reason” to pursue such an alliance.