김민석 ‘대통합추진단’ 띄웠지만…조국혁신당과 갈등 수면 위로

Kim Min-seok, the leader of the Democratic Party (DP), has established the "Unification Advancement Team," but this move has sparked concern among the Chairman of the Innovation Party (IP) Jung Sik. Jung expressed his doubts, questioning whether the team's aim is to create a coalition similar to Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, rather than a genuine alliance.

The Innovation Party Chairman also questioned whether the Unification Advancement Team serves as a platform for unity and integration or for recruiting individuals into the party. The DP's Kim had previously stated during the party's first unification advancement team meeting that a simultaneous effort to recruit individuals from various factions, including progressives, reformists, moderates, and conservatives, is necessary for the party's strength.

Jung emphasized the need for "trust recovery measures" before discussing unification with the Innovation Party. He stressed that they would act in accordance with public sentiment, whether they form a "union" or an "united party." The tension between the two parties reached its peak during the 6·3 by-election in Punggye-ri, where the two factions were at odds.

Jung mentioned Kim's comments in a secret consultation where he suggested that the Innovation Party's demands for a negotiation body should be softened. Jung found this suggestion offensive, stating that it sounded like the two parties were negotiating, rather than genuinely seeking reconciliation. The DP has also formed a task force to address the issue of dual-party representation, which Jung considers an attempt to integrate the two parties without proper dialogue.

An IP source criticized the DP for treating the Innovation Party as a mere conversation partner without any prior agreement, and called for an end to the lack of trust.