The Justice Innovation Party stated that its upcoming national convention, scheduled for July 25 at the Suwon Convention Center, will be a significant step in solidifying the party. The party also expressed intentions to gather member opinions regarding a potential merger with the Democratic Party, emphasizing a desire to avoid using the merger as a tool for internal power struggles within the Democratic Party.
Seo Wang-jin, the chairman of the convention preparatory committee, made these remarks during a press conference at the National Assembly on July 5. He stated, "We will move forward in an orderly manner based on various opinions regarding solidarity and integration with the newly elected leadership."
The Justice Innovation Party has confirmed that the theme of this national convention will be 'Into the People, Forward with Reform.' The party aims to closely listen to the voices of the public and its members, as highlighted in the recent local elections, and to establish its future direction. To facilitate this, the party plans to hold listening sessions in four regions—Yeongnam, Honam, Chungcheong, and the capital area—throughout July.
Additionally, the party declared its commitment to the paths of self-reliance, prioritizing reform tasks, and realizing politics rooted in local communities and people's livelihoods.
The newly elected leadership will need to address the merger issue with the Democratic Party. The Justice Innovation Party plans to discuss this matter after the Democratic Party's national convention on August 17.
There are reports of differing opinions within the Justice Innovation Party regarding the merger. Some members believe that strengthening the party's own power should take precedence, while others argue that a merger, even through absorption, is necessary for the upcoming 2028 general elections and the 2030 presidential election.
Within the Democratic Party, opinions are also divided regarding the upcoming convention. Former leader Jeong Cheong-rae advocates for quick discussions on a merger with the Justice Innovation Party, while former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok criticized Jeong for expressing merger intentions without consulting the party leadership, suggesting that a legal absorption method is necessary.
In response, Shin Jang-sik, a candidate for party leader, stated, "We will focus on self-reliance and create a coalition to confront forces that deny democracy, while the merger issue is a decision for the Justice Innovation Party to make."
With Shin's decision to run for party leader, Kim Jun-hyung, the acting party leader, will lead the party for the time being. Currently, Shin is running for party leader, and former Secretary General Hwang Hyun-seon is also a candidate for the Supreme Council. Representative Cha Kyu-geun plans to announce his candidacy for the Supreme Council on July 6.
However, concerns about a lackluster turnout for the upcoming convention have emerged as candidate registration concludes on July 7. The Justice Innovation Party's leadership structure includes the party leader and floor leader as members of the Supreme Council, along with two elected and one appointed member.
Chairman Seo stated that he will wait to see the candidate registration results and expressed hope for vigorous discussions on the party's direction and tasks during the listening sessions across the four regions.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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