By Kim Se-jeong
Members of the Democratic Labor Party (DLP), a minor liberal party, agreed Sunday to merge with the New Progressive Party (NPP).
During the DLP’s two-day convention, all 594 participants ― among the overall 841 registered members ― voted in favor of the merger, 20 days after party representatives agreed on it.
A primary goal of the new merged party is to compete in the presidential election that is scheduled to take place on Dec. 19 next year.
Members of the NPP, headed by Cho Seung-soo, will vote on June 26, and if passed, the parties will discuss details of the new party.
DLP Chairwoman Lee Jung-hee said, “The DLP has been at the forefront of this drive. Let us put our minds and hearts together on the historic mission of uniting the liberal camp.”
After months of negotiations, leaders of 12 political, labor and civic groups announced on June 2 to launch a new party by September that will “meet the desire of laborers, farmers, the working class and civic society.”
Previous negotiations were challenged because of divergent opinions on their approach toward North Korea. The DLP wanted to accept the legitimacy of the regime, whereas the NPP was critical of its dynastic succession.