Choo Kook, head of the Choo Kook Innovation Party, has insisted on a formal decision regarding the merger with the Democratic Party by the 13th. In response, Jeong Cheong-rae, the leader of the Democratic Party, committed to providing a prompt conclusion following a parliamentary meeting scheduled for the 10th. This has heightened discussions and tension between the two parties over their potential merger, as both sides recognize the risks if the ongoing internal conflicts continue without resolution.

The Democratic Party appears to be reassessing its position, with responses from party representatives noting that Jeong’s comments were more about gathering diverse opinions rather than directly making a firm decision on the merger. Despite what seems to be a potential backtrack from Jeong's previous strong stance favoring the merger before local elections, there are indications that internal debates within the party are shifting the focus from merger benefits to the potential pitfalls of prolonged conflict.

The situation has worsened with the leak of a confidential document outlining favorable terms for the Choo Kook Party, intensifying rumors of a secret deal and raising concerns of power struggles within the ruling party's base. This internal conflict has led to perceptions that the merger discussions are less about policy alignment and more about power realignments, which has caused discontent among some party supporters, culminating in calls for a clearer path forward in the lead-up to upcoming elections and broader political implications.