Jeong Cheong-rae, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, has announced the suspension of merger discussions with the Justice Innovation Party before the June 3 local elections. He emphasized the necessity of taking public sentiment seriously to avoid further confusion during this critical period. The decision was formalized in a meeting among the party's leadership where concerns over the current state of merging discussions were addressed.

In light of these developments, Jeong proposed the establishment of an Integration Promotion Committee, which would focus on laying the groundwork for a future merger after the local elections. He also extended an invitation for the Justice Innovation Party to create their own preparatory committee for the alliance and integration process. This indicates a strategic shift in the Democratic Party's approach to collaborating with other political entities, showcasing an intent to stabilize the internal party dynamics ahead of the elections.

Jeong emphasized that regardless of differing opinions on the merger, there is a shared commitment to the party's welfare over personal desires. Acknowledging that past complications regarding mergers stemmed from his shortcomings, he aims to refocus efforts on unity within the party while addressing external alliances. This move may have significant implications for the Democratic Party's performance in the upcoming elections, as it seeks to consolidate support and present a united front to the voters.