Han Jun-ho Says, "Decide on Party Merger After the Local Elections"

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According to Financial News, Han Jun-ho, a potential candidate for Governor of Gyeonggi Province from the Democratic Party of Korea, urged party leader Jeong Cheong-rae on the 3rd to postpone any decision on a merger with the Rebuilding Korea Party until after the June 3 local elections. He also argued that a formal deliberative body with party member participation should first be established to gather party members’ views on the merger.
At the press conference held that day at the National Assembly Communication Center, Han said, "Now is not the time to reach a conclusion," adding, "Discussion is necessary, but if we are to make a decision, it should be after the local elections."
This was his second attempt, following a press conference on the 1st, to pressure Jeong to first halt the planned merger with the Rebuilding Korea Party.
Han said, "Let us establish a formal deliberative body with party member participation before the local elections and conduct sufficient deliberation and debate," and continued, "Within that body, we should calmly examine the necessity and limits of a merger, its political benefits and costs, and its impact on state affairs and the party’s future identity."
He stressed, "A merger is a very grave choice that can change the party’s course and the political landscape," adding, "That is why the process matters more than speed."
He went on, "Debate that starts from a predetermined conclusion can restrict party members’ judgment and weaken trust in the party," noting, "In reality, the recent discussions on a merger are unfolding in a way that only heightens internal disputes within the party."
He further pointed out, "The core issue is procedure. Under the approach currently being presented, the conclusion of a 'vote by all party members' has been put forward without sufficient explanation," and warned, "If we are asked to choose for or against under such conditions, deliberation will inevitably become a mere formality, and responsibility for the decision will also become blurred."
Han, who is widely expected to run in the upcoming local elections, also argued that pursuing a merger in this way could trigger conflict and division within the party and, in turn, have a negative impact on the local elections.
Han said, "When President Lee Jae-myung was party leader in the past, if differences of opinion surfaced, we would pause the process, reflect, and then reach a conclusion after thorough debate," adding, "That approach functioned as an important framework that helped the Democratic Party of Korea develop."
Regarding Jeong’s remark at the Supreme Council meeting on the 2nd that the merger could "add even 2 to 3 percentage points" in the elections, Han dismissed it as "groundless." He asked, "It is the achievements of the current Lee Jae-myung administration and the results we will produce that will influence the local elections, so on what basis can anyone conclude that the local elections will be difficult?"
gowell@fnnews.com Reporter Kim Hyeong-gu Reporter