Lee Jun-seok and Ahn Cheol-soo to Form Practical Negotiation Team for Merger... People Party Also to Conduct Candidate Qualification Test

Each Party Forms a 3-Member Working Negotiation Team, Discusses Details
April 9, When PPAT Begins, Set as Target Deadline

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, has reached an agreement to pursue a merger with Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People Party.

On the afternoon of the 24th, Lee personally visited the Presidential Transition Committee office in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, and held a meeting with Ahn for about an hour.

After the meeting, the two shook hands in front of reporters and stated, "We have reached a fundamental consensus on the merger." Present at the meeting were Hong Cheol-ho, Vice Chairman of Strategic Planning from the People Power Party, Park Seong-min, Chief Secretary of the Representative Office, and Lee Tae-gyu, a member of the People Party.

Both parties agreed to form working-level negotiation teams of three members each to discuss detailed matters such as party platform policies. Lee explained, "We will select three members from each party to form the working negotiation teams. To integrate the philosophies of the party platforms, we will create a platform policy-related meeting with two members from each side to ensure that the spirit of both parties is reflected in the platform of the newly launched party."

Additionally, the merged Nomination Management Committee will oversee the nomination of local election candidates from both parties. Lee stated, "In the upcoming local elections, the integrated Nomination Management Committee will review the nominations of candidates from both parties. We have agreed to proceed as swiftly as possible to ensure that the launch of the integrated Nomination Management Committee is not delayed." He added, "Applicants from the People Party will also participate in the Public Official Candidate Competency Test (PPAT), expected to be held on April 9, and will compete under equal standards in the local elections."

The target deadline for the merger was mentioned as April 9, when local election nominations begin. Lee said, "Our goal is to hold the PPAT on April 9 without any setbacks. Although we have not agreed on an exact date, if we focus on the integrated Nomination Management Committee, there will be an approximate date."

Regarding the anticipated demand from the People Party for a 'party name change,' Lee stated, "Since Leader Ahn clearly said there is no demand for a party name change, it is unlikely to become an issue." He added, "Whether the party name change is considered a party-to-party merger or an absorption merger is not a legal classification criterion. Rather than procedural issues, as the leader, my principle is to consider the circumstances of the People Party as much as possible to move in a direction that can create synergy between the two parties."

On the fairness of the People Party candidates' participation in the PPAT, he responded, "Since we plan to revise the party platform, the test content will cover areas common to both parties. There will be no advantage or disadvantage."

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