'The River of Joguk' Summoned in the Presidential Election Climate

The Democratic Party and Open Democratic Party Begin Serious Talks on 'Year-End Integration'... Kim Eui-gyeom Says "Will Be a Catalyst for Democratic Party Reform"
Criticism Arises That 'Pro-Jo Guk' Faction Does Not Help Moderate Expansion
Lee Supports Integration but Mentions Responsibility for Jo Guk Allegations... Some Point Out "Contradiction"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Ahead of next year's presidential election, controversies related to former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk have resurfaced. As discussions on the merger between the Democratic Party of Korea and the Open Democratic Party have been actively raised, the issue of capturing the centrist voter base has emerged as a key point. Both parties intend to finalize the integration within this year, but attention is focused on how they will overcome the Cho Kuk incident during this process.

On the 24th, Kim Eui-gyeom, a member of the Open Democratic Party and representative of the integration negotiation team between the Democratic Party and the Open Democratic Party, appeared on TBS Radio in the morning and said, "We plan to conduct the (integration negotiations) as quickly as possible and hold the final vote within this year," adding, "A proposal should come out by early to mid-next month." Kim said, "Both sides strongly agreed that this is not a simple arithmetic integration of 1+1=2, but rather a catalyst to make the Democratic Party more vibrant and dynamic." He further explained, "Candidate Lee Jae-myung mentioned 'Lee Jae-myung's Democratic Party, not the Democratic Party of Lee Jae-myung,' and we agreed to take this integration discussion in that direction."

On the 22nd, the two parties agreed to complete the integration within this year and actively cooperate with other democratic reform camps during the integration process. This decision was made based on the judgment that consolidating the support base is necessary to raise the stagnant approval ratings of candidate Lee. Candidate Lee also said in a YTN interview the previous day, "The Open Democratic Party was originally one family," adding, "They were temporarily separated family members due to strategic needs during the last general election, so it is right to reunite quickly."

However, Cho Eung-cheon, a principled member of the party, pointed out on CBS Radio the previous day, "Ultimately, the key to this election is who wins the hearts of the centrists," and added, "One of the major tasks given to us is whether we have clearly crossed the 'Cho Kuk River'."

One reason why the public opinion for 'regime change' is high in next year's presidential election is the disappointment with the 'fairness' and 'justice' expected from the Moon Jae-in administration, and the resulting double standards issue, which expanded to real estate issues toward the end of the administration. Analysts say the starting point of this was the 'Cho Kuk incident.' However, it is explained that the consistent 'pro-Cho Kuk' stance of the Open Democratic Party will not help the Democratic Party in expanding to the centrist voters. Professor Choi Chang-ryeol of Yongin University said, "It seems like an attempt to expand the center and consolidate the support base, but it is difficult to achieve both," adding, "It will be a double-edged sword."

Although candidate Lee said separately from the party merger that former Minister Cho must "take responsibility," this response is also criticized as "a step too late." Professor Choi said, "Resolving the Cho Kuk incident and the issue of integrating with the Open Democratic Party are conflicting matters that cannot go together," adding, "It sounds like a statement to capture the 20s youth vote amid stagnant approval ratings, but it is too late to do it now."

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