Opposition Grows Stronger... Open Democratic Party Merger Talks Rapidly Rise

Kim Boo-kyum "One Family Soon"
Lee Nak-yeon "Agrees on the Need for Merger"
Integration Expected to Accelerate After Party Convention

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] The integration debate between the Democratic Party and the Open Democratic Party has emerged as a major agenda item at the Democratic Party's national convention. This comes as candidates for the Democratic Party leadership have been emphasizing the necessity of merging the two parties one after another. Attention is focused on whether the status of the 'super ruling party' will be further solidified after the convention.

Among the Democratic Party leadership candidates, the most proactive advocate for the integration of the two parties is former lawmaker Kim Boo-kyum. On the 29th, after meeting with Choi Kang-wook, leader of the Open Democratic Party, he stated on Facebook, "If I become party leader, I will push for a merger with the Open Democratic Party." Former lawmaker Kim even described the Open Democratic Party as a 'brother party,' emphasizing that "for the sake of regime re-creation, we must become 'one roof, one family' as soon as possible."

Lawmaker Lee Nak-yeon also sent positive signals about the merger in a recent media interview, saying, "I met with people from that side (Open Democratic Party). It seems it won't be too difficult (to merge), and I agreed on the necessity." Notably, Lee's shift from previously opposing the merger to supporting it has drawn attention. In April, during the general election, he had expressed opposition, saying, "I don't know what will happen after the election. I never imagined an alliance or merger with the Open Democratic Party."

Lee's change of stance is closely related to the fact that the Open Democratic Party is filled with pro-Moon Jae-in (pro-Moon) forces. Especially, the '1.5 million votes' the Open Democratic Party gained in the general election is a scale that cannot be ignored in the presidential election. Because of this, there is an interpretation that Lee, who is eyeing the presidency, has begun to actively embrace the 'pro-Moon' faction.

Photo by Choi Kang-wook, Facebook of Choi Kang-wook, Leader of the Open Democratic Party

Another leadership candidate, lawmaker Park Joo-min, has not yet expressed a specific position on the merger but does not seem to have strong objections to the integration of the two parties. In fact, on the 30th, Park attended the parliamentary study group 'Cheoreomhoe,' led by leader Choi and Democratic Party lawmaker Hwang Un-ha, and showed his friendship with leader Choi by taking photos together.

There is no apparent opposition to integration within the Open Democratic Party either. Rather, the Open Democratic Party has shown alignment with the Democratic Party by repeatedly voting in favor of real estate policy bills passed under the ruling party's leadership.

If the merger between the Democratic Party and the Open Democratic Party is realized, the ruling party will have nearly 180 seats. This is analyzed to enable greater power in the second half of government administration. However, opposition from factions other than the 'pro-Moon' group within the Democratic Party during the merger process is a variable. In fact, lawmaker Lee Won-wook, who is running for the Democratic Party Supreme Council, said in a radio interview the day before, "Has it only been a few days since the election, and already talks of a merger are coming up?" He called it "too hasty." He also pointed out, "The merger of the two Democratic Parties is an issue that should be decided through in-depth discussions by the next leadership," and "It doesn't seem desirable for candidates to have different voices just because they are running for party leader."

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