The chairman of the United New Democratic Party (UNDP) has pledged to unite liberal forces by mid-August through a merger with the pro-government Uri Party and the Democratic Party.

In the first meeting of the new party's leadership on Monday, Chairman Oh Chung-il said that liberal forces cannot win the presidential election in December if they fail to come together.

The chairman also said that he will actively seek a grand coalition with the Uri and Democratic parties by meeting with their respective leaders.

The UNDP, launched Sunday with 85 seats, was formed by those who left the Uri Party and the Centrist United Democratic Party, as well as some current Uri Party lawmakers.

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