▲ Jung Chung-rae, leader of the ruling Democratic Party, attends a hastily convened press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul on Jan. 22, 2026, to call for the minor Rebuilding Korea Party to merge with his party, around four months ahead of the local elections. (Yonhap)
▲ Cho Kuk, leader of the minor Rebuilding Korea Party, speaks during a Supreme Council meeting in North Jeolla Province on Jan. 22, 2026. (Yonhap)

(3rd LD) ruling party-politics

(3rd LD) Ruling party proposes merger with minor Rebuilding Korea Party ahead of local elections

(ATTN: ADDS remarks, details in last 3 paras)

By Yi Wonju

SEOUL, Jan. 22 (Yonhap) -- The leader of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) on Thursday proposed merging with the minor liberal Rebuilding Korea Party, in a move expected to broaden its political spectrum around four months ahead of the local elections.

DP leader Jung Chung-rae made the proposal during an emergency press conference at the National Assembly, calling on the minor party to swiftly begin working-level discussions for the proposed merger.

"We held a presidential election together to launch the Lee Jae Myung government," he said. "I hope we will also hold the June 3 local elections together."

Jung stressed that the two parties have both opposed the previous Yoon Suk Yeol administration and "overcame Yoon's failed martial law bid together."

He also emphasized that both parties support the same "spirit of the times," including winning the local elections and hoping for the success of the Lee administration.

"The Democratic Party and the Rebuilding Korea Party must work together as a team to ensure the success of the Lee administration, which is the spirit of our times," he said. "We will wait for the Rebuilding Korea Party's response."

Former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, who leads the minor party, avoided giving an explicit answer to the proposal but said he will heed the voices of the public and party members as he held a Supreme Council meeting in North Jeolla Province.

"I will listen to the voices of the people and party members to see what is the best way to realize the tasks of our times," Cho said.

Jung's proposal draws keen attention amid growing competition between the two parties in regions such as Jeolla Province where their support base overlaps.

Cheong Wa Dae expressed hope that the upcoming discussions would yield positive results.

Hong Ihk-pyo, senior presidential secretary for political affairs, told reporters that President Lee has "long wished" for the merger of the DP and the Rebuilding Korea Party.

Hong said Cheong Wa Dae will "wait and see" how the discussions between the two parties unfold, noting he had been notified of the merger proposal ahead of Jung's announcement earlier in the day.

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