Minor opposition party turns down merger offer ahead of April elections

SEOUL, March 4 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's minor opposition party on Friday rejected an offer from the main opposition party to create a consolidated party amid simmering calls that they should be merged to win a victory in the April general elections.

A decision-making body at the People's Party, led by Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo, sternly turned down the merger offer from the main opposition Minjoo Party.

Earlier this week, Kim Jong-in, the chairman of the Minjoo Party, said that the two opposition parties should be consolidated for the win in the April 13 general elections.

"There is no merger (with Minjoo Party), and we decided to go our own way," said Moon Byeing-ho, a lawmaker affiliated with the People's Party.

The People's Party was officially launched last month with a promise to win a sweeping victory in the April general elections.

Ahn was elected to lead the party, a breakaway group from the main opposition Minjoo Party.

In January, Ahn broke away from the then New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD), the predecessor of the Minjoo Party, to create a new party. Ahn formerly served as co-chairman of the NPAD.

sam@yna.co.kr
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