People Power Party and People Party Merger: Moving Toward Party-to-Party Integration Rather Than Absorption?

Joo Ho-young "No major difficulties in merger... New floor leader will continue discussions"

Ahn Cheol-soo "Must consider centrist pragmatism and expanding opposition support base"

Joo Ho-young, Acting Leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 29th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Hyunju Lee and Boryeong Geum] The People Power Party and the People’s Party, which are pursuing a merger, are expected to decide on a ‘party-to-party integration’ rather than an ‘absorption merger.’

On the 29th, Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, said to reporters after the Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly, “There was a consensus on the broad framework of party-to-party integration (with the People Power Party),” adding, “During the process of discussions with the next elected floor leader of the People Power Party, detailed schedules may also be decided.”

The People’s Party advocates party-to-party integration with the intention of establishing a new name, platform, and policies to prepare for next year’s presidential election. Ahn said, “To achieve a regime change in the next presidential election, it is important to broaden the opposition’s support base,” and added, “This means expanding the current (People Power Party) line toward rational reform through centrist pragmatic politics. The established platform can serve as a foundation for innovation and further integration, so that role is the main principle.”

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 29th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The People Power Party also agrees with this view and plans to proceed with practical discussions. Joo Ho-young, acting party leader and floor leader of the People Power Party, told reporters on the same day, “Since there was no opposition to the merger at the party meeting or emergency committee, if the People’s Party presents specific conditions, we will decide whether to accept them or not,” adding, “This means there will be no major difficulties in the merger.”

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