Seoul: The leader of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) announced on Tuesday that discussions regarding a potential merger with the minor liberal Rebuilding Korea Party will be postponed until after the upcoming June local elections. This decision comes as an apology to party members for the internal friction caused by the merger proposal.

According to Yonhap News Agency, DP Chairman Jung Chung-rae stated in a briefing following a supreme council meeting, "We decided to end discussions on the merger ahead of the local elections." He acknowledged that his proposal had caused concern both within and outside the party and that the expected synergy from the merger had not been realized. Emphasizing the importance of party unity, Jung apologized for the confusion and noted that unity was more urgent than merger discussions.

The merger idea, initially suggested by Jung last month, faced significant backlash within the party, particularly concerning the timing and extent of the merger. During a general meeting, DP lawmakers recognized the potential benefits of merging with the minor party to secure a more decisive victory in the June 3 elections. However, opinions varied on the specifics of how and when such a merger should occur, as explained by DP spokesperson Park Soo-hyun.

The spokesperson highlighted that while there was a shared understanding of the necessity for unity, the lawmakers agreed that pursuing the merger under the current circumstances would be challenging. Despite the proposal's intention to ensure a landslide victory and bolster the administration's success, it inadvertently heightened tensions within the ruling party. Many lawmakers suggested revisiting the merger discussions after the elections.

Meanwhile, former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, has urged the DP to finalize its decision by Friday.