Cho Kuk, leader of the Justice Party, has issued an ultimatum to the Democratic Party, demanding that it declare its official stance on a potential merger by January 13, the start of the Lunar New Year holiday. This comes as tensions within the Democratic Party rise and rumors of a secret merger agreement with the Justice Party circulate. Cho Kuk argues that drawing out the decision provides no benefits and urges a swift resolution ahead of local elections by emphasizing the need for clear communication on the matter.

At a press conference held on January 8, Cho Kuk warned that if the Democratic Party fails to respond officially and publicly by the 13th, the Justice Party will consider the merger off the table. He also pushed for clarification on whether they would establish separate positions for election collaboration or engage in internal competition over values and vision within a unified party. This pressure comes amid concerns that prolonged indecision could lead to a broader disappointment among party members and the public.

Moreover, Cho Kuk expressed frustration over derogatory remarks aimed at the Justice Party, especially those related to not fielding a candidate to support Lee Jae-myung during the last presidential election. He cautions the Democratic Party against using the merger talks for internal power struggles, stating that any allegations of secret agreements or aspirations for high office are unfounded. By addressing these issues, he hopes to refocus the discussion on substantive policy and vision, moving beyond the personal political rivalries that threaten to derail the merger negotiations.