[Herald Economy = Reporter Jung Ho-won] With local elections just three months away on June 3, both major parties are leaning towards self-preservation rather than pre-election consolidation. The Democratic Party and the Justice Innovation Party’s merger attempts have failed, while the conservative camp is losing momentum for unification due to the People Power Party’s expulsion of former leader Han Dong-hoon. As major parties in the National Assembly pursue independent paths, partial electoral alliances focused on key strategic regions are expected to be crucial in the final stretch of the campaign.
Merger discussions between the Democratic Party and the Justice Innovation Party effectively collapsed on the 10th. Democratic Party spokesperson Park Soo-hyun stated after a lawmakers’ meeting, “We agreed that while there’s justification for pursuing a merger, it’s difficult to proceed under current circumstances.”
Consequently, both parties are accelerating efforts to establish independent election strategies. The Justice Innovation Party has already appointed former Health and Welfare Minister Park Neung-hu to head its candidate management committee and announced 12 disqualification criteria, kickstarting its election preparations. The Democratic Party is also gearing up by activating candidate qualification review committees in each regional chapter.
However, the possibility of a broader progressive alliance remains open. In areas like Honam, where support bases overlap, they may engage in fierce competition, while in battleground regions like the metropolitan area and Yeongnam, candidate unification scenarios are being discussed. Justice Innovation Party Supreme Council member Shin Jang-sik emphasized on KBS radio that “the entire Democratic and progressive camp must unite to achieve ‘zero People Power Party’ representation.”
Nevertheless, emotional rifts from merger discussions pose a challenge. The Justice Innovation Party has publicly expressed dissatisfaction with “merger secret agreement” allegations. Party leader Jo Guk warned, “Don’t use the Justice Innovation Party for internal political struggles,” while Senior Spokesperson Park Byeong-eon is demanding an apology from the Democratic Party, suggesting potential difficulties in smooth collaboration.
Prospects for electoral alliances within the conservative camp also look dim. The People Power Party is pursuing alliances under the principle of “first self-strengthening, then unification,” but the Reform Party has firmly rejected this approach.
People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk stated, “Any unification is possible if it helps us win,” expressing willingness for opposition alliances under an anti-Lee Jae-myung banner. However, Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok clarified, “Even if we sever ties with former President Yoon Suk Yeol, we won’t unite for local elections.” He also dismissed collaboration with Han Dong-hoon, expelled from the People Power Party, citing philosophical differences.
The Reform Party is already appointing candidates for key battlegrounds like Seoul and Busan, solidifying its intent to run independently. However, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk acknowledged, “Ultimately, we must move according to public sentiment,” leaving the door open for aligning with the conservative camp if public opinion shifts that way.
With the People Power Party’s approval rating stuck in the low 20% range and the Reform Party struggling with single-digit support, some analysts believe it will be difficult to ignore calls for candidate unification in closely contested districts.
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