Political Landscape Set for Reshuffle as DPK Hints at Merger With Rebuilding Korea Party [People's Choice in the June 3 Vote]

A political reshuffle is being discussed after the June 3 local elections. Interest is also rising in political circles. As talks of an alliance or merger between the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the Rebuilding Korea Party begin to resurface, speculation is growing that a broader realignment will accelerate ahead of the next party leadership races and the 2028 general election, with alliance talks also emerging between the People Power Party and the Reform Party.
Talks of an alliance or merger between the DPK and the Rebuilding Korea Party resurfaced after Cho Kuk, leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, said during the by-election campaign in Pyeongtaek-eul that a joint alliance and merger committee would be launched immediately after the election. Cho later continued to seek cooperation with the DPK by promoting a pan-progressive common pledge centered on permanent support for the special law on Pyeongtaek support.
By contrast, DPK leader Jung Chung-rae, who had proposed a merger earlier this year but faced strong backlash within the party, kept his distance from Cho throughout the election campaign. The move is seen as an effort to win the trust of party members first, as he prepares to seek a second term at the August party convention. During the campaign, Jung visited the campaign office of Kim Yong-nam, the DPK candidate in Pyeongtaek-eul, and stressed that he was "the son of the Democratic Party." Some lawmakers in the pro-Lee Jae-myung camp also drew a line, calling Cho a "fake Democratic Party candidate."
Still, observers say merger talks between the two parties are likely to return to the surface after the election. With the power structure inside the DPK becoming more complicated ahead of the party convention, Jung may need to broaden his base within the party and expand the reach of the broader progressive bloc. Cho has also consistently emphasized the need for cooperation and integration with the DPK, raising the possibility that the two sides could find common ground again. In fact, Cho Seung-rae, the Secretary-General, who is classified as a pro-Jung figure, said at a National Assembly press briefing on the 2nd, "Cho Kuk's election result in Pyeongtaek-eul has nothing to do with merger talks," adding, "We will discuss it calmly within the party after the election."
Alliance and merger possibilities between the People Power Party and the Reform Party are also being discussed. The Reform Party had set a goal of electing at least one metropolitan mayor or governor and as many metropolitan and local council members as possible in this local election, but its results fell short of expectations, making future direction talks unavoidable.
Inside the People Power Party, some are calling Lee Jun-seok, the Reform Party leader and a potential presidential candidate, a "conservative asset" and arguing that the party should absorb the Reform Party to reshape the conservative bloc. Others say his appeal to centrist voters and younger voters could make him useful as a future party leadership figure. In particular, some within the party are arguing that an alliance with Lee is necessary to counter the possible expansion of the pro-Han faction.
However, Lee has a record of rejecting unification with the People Power Party during both the presidential election and the local election campaigns. Since he has repeatedly said there will be no alliance unless the People Power Party changes, a merger does not appear likely in the near term.
jiwon.song@fnnews.com Song Ji-won, Lee Hae-ram Reporter