Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon and South Gyeongsang Gov. Kim Du-kwan are to join the main opposition Democratic United Party next week and this Thursday, respectively.

“Kim will sign up Thursday, as originally planned, and Park will join later next week,” said Im Jong-seok, the party’s secretary-general on Wednesday.

“Park’s final confirmation came just yesterday, as he has only recently come back from his overseas trip.”

The activist-turned-mayor last week denied reports that he was scheduled to join the biggest left-wing party within the month, calling it premature.

“I currently have no such plans,” he told reporters during his visit to Tokyo. “I will discuss the issue with the party and civic groups once I return.”

It has long been a goal of the DUP to have the independent Seoul mayor sign up for membership, especially before the upcoming April general elections.

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