Lee Hae-chan "Entering Merger Procedures with Citizen Party... Special Measures if Korean Party Forms Negotiating Group"

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 29th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced on the 29th, "Starting from the 4th, we will begin the merger process with the Together Citizens' Party."

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, Lee said, "The Citizens' Party is an alliance party created by the Democratic Party to maximize the purpose of the mixed-member proportional representation system."

He added, "Since its role has been fulfilled and the lower-ranked proportional representation members of the Citizens' Party are Democratic Party lawmakers, the merger of the two parties is natural," and "We will proceed with the merger through a vote by all party members, a Central Committee meeting, and a joint meeting of the two parties."

Lee expressed concern, saying, "However, the United Future Party, which undermined the purpose of electoral reform by using a satellite party trick, may create another satellite organization (negotiation group) as the Korean Party, causing the 21st National Assembly to start with illegal and disruptive actions." He warned, "If such concerns materialize, the Democratic Party will have no choice but to take extraordinary measures to operate the 21st National Assembly normally. We hope such things do not happen."

Regarding the upcoming plenary session to approve the second supplementary budget for the nationwide emergency disaster relief fund, Lee evaluated, "We have fulfilled our promise made during the general election." However, he noted, "The emergency disaster relief fund is only a temporary measure and not a fundamental solution to the economic crisis," and stated, "The party and government will immediately begin preparing the third supplementary budget and will prepare meticulous and bold strategies to use the post-COVID-19 changed world as an opportunity for a new leap forward."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.