The Justice Innovation Party stated that its upcoming national convention on July 25 at the Suwon Convention Center will be a step toward solidifying the party. It also expressed intentions to gather opinions from party members regarding a potential merger with the Democratic Party, hoping it will not be used as a tool for internal power struggles during the Democratic Party's convention.
Seo Wang-jin, chair of the convention preparation 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 Innovation Party has confirmed the theme of the national convention as 'Into the People, Forward with Reform.' The party aims to closely listen to the voices of the public and its members, as confirmed through the June 3 local elections and by-elections, and to establish its direction. To this end, the party plans to hold listening sessions in four regions—Yeongnam, Honam, Chungcheong, and the capital area—throughout July.
Additionally, the Innovation Party declared its commitment to the paths of self-reliance, prioritizing reform tasks, and realizing politics rooted in local communities and people's livelihoods.
Notably, the newly elected leadership will need to address the merger issue with the Democratic Party. The Innovation Party plans to discuss this matter after the Democratic Party's national convention on August 17.
There are reports of some differing opinions within the 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 if it means absorption, is necessary for the 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 Innovation Party, while former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok criticized Jeong for expressing merger intentions without consulting the party's leadership, arguing that a legal absorption merger is necessary.
In response, Shin Jang-sik, who has decided to run for party leader, stated, "We will build a coalition based on self-reliance and confront forces that deny democracy as if it were second nature. The merger issue is a matter for the Innovation Party to decide."
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 has announced plans to run for the Supreme Council. Representative Cha Kyu-geun is also expected to declare his candidacy for the Supreme Council on July 6.
However, as candidate registration for the national convention concludes on July 7, there are concerns about a lack of interest. The Innovation Party's structure includes the party leader and floor leader serving on the Supreme Council, along with two elected and one appointed member.
Seo stated that he will wait to see the candidate registration results, expressing hope for vigorous discussions on the party's direction and tasks during the listening sessions in the four regions.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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