The main opposition Democratic Party seeks a conference this Sunday with all liberal parties and civic groups to create a united left-wing party.

DP chairman Rep. Sohn Hak-kyu met Roh Moo-hyun Foundation chairman Moon Jae-in, former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan and Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon on Sunday. They agreed to set up a joint liberal council to consolidate their forces into a single political party.

They also urged minority liberal groups to join the DP initiative.

“Such integration and cooperation is what the people expect of the liberal camp,” Sohn said during the party’s Supreme Council meeting on Monday.

However, the Democratic Liberal Party, People’s Participation Party and former members of the New Progressive Party, along with the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, earlier pledged to act independently and form a separate party.

Officials on Sunday also once again urged professor Ahn Cheol-soo to add his name to the list.

“The new party should be able to embrace young voters and older experts such as myself and Ahn at the same time,” said Park.

“In order to achieve true unity, it is crucial that Ahn join in.”

Though Ahn continues to refrain from stepping into the political arena, many have speculated that he will eventually lead a new progressive party, which the DP regards as a threat to its integration plan.

While Ahn and other left-wing groups were left considering their next move, the DP-led council started on Monday to discuss how to select the leadership of the new integrated party in next month’s national convention, officials said.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)