The Justice Innovation Party proposed to the Democratic Party again on the 6th to select a single candidate for the opposition bloc through a unified primary. Those affiliated with the non-Lee Jae-myung faction also urged the Democratic Party to make a decision on the unified primary, stating, "There must be overwhelming support."
Kim Seon-min, acting representative of the Innovation Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly that day and said, "I am proposing an open primary for the opposition to achieve an overwhelming regime change after today’s dismissal."
The Innovation Party previously proposed an open primary (complete national primary) that would allow participation from every political party as well as civil society figures to select a unified candidate for the opposition bloc last month. The discussions were halted following the impeachment trial of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, but upon the decision to dismiss Yoon, they requested again from the Democratic Party.
The Innovation Party believes that it is only through a unified primary that a single candidate can be selected, as opposed to each party in the Democratic camp selecting their presidential candidates first and then proceeding to unify.
Acting Kim emphasized the reason for the proposal of a unified primary, stating, "This is necessary because the democratic progressive camp must achieve overwhelming victory in the upcoming presidential election." He noted, "The forces that have caused issues throughout this insurrection must be pushed out of the system, and only an overwhelming victory through a regime change can completely end the insurrection."
He further asserted, "The demands for social reform that emerged from the Square of Light must be embraced by the new majority coalition democratic government," adding, "Now, a true new majority coalition is needed. The starting point is an open primary."
Acting Kim requested, "I hope the Democratic Party does not confine its presidential candidate within the walls of just the Democratic Party," stating, "The next government must be a coalition government for all, by all, and of all to uphold the Constitution. Please consider whether the candidate will belong solely to the Democratic Party or if they will be the presidential candidate of the pro-constitutional forces."
Democratic Party figures from the non-Lee Jae-myung faction also urged the Democratic Party to make a decision regarding the Innovation Party's unified primary method.
Former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said on Facebook that day, "We must create a process in which the opposition forces grow large and strong beyond the party's fence," asserting that "the complete national primary proposed by the Innovation Party could be the key." He added, "Without overwhelming support, we cannot achieve the consensus needed to create a new Republic of Korea. All forces that crossed the 'river of impeachment' together must start by uniting," emphasizing, "The Democratic primary must not be a mere formality."
Yang Ki-dae, chairman of the forum 'Hope and Alternatives' and a former Democratic Party member, stated, "For the Democratic Party, this upcoming presidential primary must not be a formal election, but rather a primary of harmony and unity," asserting, "A complete national primary with 100% public participation could be the solution." He further added, "It is worthwhile to actively consider the complete national primary system proposed by the Innovation Party and others."
There are growing predictions in political circles that the Democratic Party will find it difficult to accept the proposal for a unified primary. Democratic Party Secretary-General Kim Yoon-deok stated at a press conference that day, under the premise that the unified primary method suggested by the Innovation Party was 'personal opinion,' "It is much more desirable for each party to determine their presidential candidate first and then proceed with the unification of the opposition bloc."