Shin Jangsik Elected as Leader of National Innovation Party... "Open to Unification with Democratic Party"

"Firmly Rejecting Hostile M&A Merger Talks"

Assemblyman Shin Jangsik was elected as the new leader of the National Innovation Party on July 25.

Shin Jangsik, newly elected leader of the Party for National Innovation, raises his fist while holding the party flag at the nationwide party members' convention held at Suwon Convention Center in Gyeonggi Province on the 25th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Running unopposed in the party leadership election, Shin was elected with a 96.7% approval rate through a vote at the 2026 National Party Members' Convention held at the Suwon Convention Center in Gyeonggi Province on the same day.

Leader Shin declared, "I will see through 100% completion of prosecutorial reform," and questioned, "It has been 417 days since the government of popular sovereignty was inaugurated, so why has the Democratic Party hesitated and neglected reform during this period?"

He went on to say, "I will not let my guard down until the prosecutorial reform bill passes the plenary session of the National Assembly," emphasizing, "I will establish a 'National Situation Room for the Completion of Prosecutorial Reform' on the staircase leading to the National Assembly's main chamber, and I will not leave until the bill is passed."

Regarding the party’s relationship with the Democratic Party, he stated, "Discussions about cooperation and merger with the Democratic Party remain open, but there are fundamental principles that cannot be compromised," explaining, "The primary standard is the restoration of the spirit of the presidential election."

He further added, "While I firmly reject certain hostile M&A-style merger talks from segments within the Democratic Party, I welcome discussions founded on vision and values."

At the convention, a video message from former leader Cho Kuk was also played. In the video, Cho remarked, "The current political landscape is dangerously tilting to the right. As seen in the internal confusion over prosecutorial reform within the ruling party, even the principles of reform are being shaken."

He continued, "I hope the Innovation Party will cultivate and practice progressive futurism that anticipates not just the weather of the day but the climate of our era," urging, "Strengthen the party's capabilities step by step and prepare for the general elections in 2028."

In the election for the two Supreme Council members, Assemblyman Cha Kyugun and former Secretary-General Hwang Hyunseon were elected. The party’s new leadership will comprise five people: Leader Shin, Parliamentary Leader Kim Junhyung, Supreme Council members Cha Kyugun and Hwang Hyunseon, and one additional member appointed by nomination.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.