Core Members Within the Party Agree on 'Proportional Party' Formation? ... Yoon Ho-jung Says "Not True"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Kang Nahum and Heo Midam] As key figures within the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) have recently been reported to discuss the creation of a satellite party for proportional representation, waves of controversy are spreading both inside and outside the political sphere. Criticism is mounting that the DPK is contradicting the original intent of the semi-proportional representation system, which it led to enact.

On the 28th, Yoon Ho-jung, Secretary-General of the DPK, told reporters at the National Assembly, "Five lawmakers had dinner together the day before yesterday (26th)." He added, "There were free discussions related to the political situation following the revision of the election law, but it was not a serious meeting to discuss countermeasures or reach conclusions."

This statement was a rebuttal to a report by the JoongAng Ilbo claiming that key lawmakers agreed to establish a satellite party. The media outlet had reported that on the evening of the 26th, Lee In-young, floor leader, Yoon Ho-jung, Secretary-General, and lawmakers Jeon Hae-cheol, Hong Young-pyo, and Kim Jong-min gathered at a restaurant in Mapo-gu, Seoul, and agreed to form a satellite party.

However, Secretary-General Yoon said, "The attendees shared a common recognition that the United Future Party (UFP) is fundamentally undermining and damaging the intent of the semi-proportional representation system, which would be a historical sin." He added, "We cannot stand by and allow such acts that sabotage political reform and steal public sentiment merely for seat greed."

Floor Leader Lee In-young also met with reporters that morning and said, "It is true that we met and talked about various things, but we cannot resolve to create a proportional party. That is not true. We did not discuss forming a party."

Nevertheless, as calls for satellite party formation from within the party continue, the credibility of such an agreement is gaining strength. This is due to a sense of crisis that the DPK might lose its status as the largest party to the UFP.

In fact, recent opinion polls show relatively high support for the UFP's sister party, the Future Korea Party, leading to projections that it could secure more than 20 seats solely through proportional representation. Moreover, concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic might negatively impact the ruling party in the general election are also fueling calls for satellite party formation.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Eventually, former DPK lawmaker Jeong Bong-ju declared the launch of the 'Open Democratic Party,' a satellite party concept within the DPK. Jeong explained the background of the party's formation, saying, "Although it is a path we should not take, it is an unavoidable decision to prevent seat distortion and public sentiment deception."

However, opposition to satellite party formation within the DPK is also significant due to weak justification. The DPK endured the unprecedented violent 'Fast-Track Incident' in the National Assembly and, after many twists and turns, succeeded in passing the Public Official Election Act amendment centered on the semi-proportional representation system. If the DPK directly participates in forming a satellite party or neglects the ongoing formation movements on the sidelines, it would effectively nullify the election law's intent, such as 'equivalence of votes' and 'expanding opportunities for small parties to enter the National Assembly.'

Kim Hae-young, a Supreme Council member of the DPK, said, "The DPK has been pushing for electoral reform and has strongly condemned the UFP's formation of a proportional satellite party." He added, "It is not right for the DPK, which has taken such a stance, to create a satellite party." He further stated, "We clearly oppose the formation of satellite parties and ask the public for wise judgment against the UFP, which goes against the essence of political parties."

Criticism from opposition parties is also fierce. Kim Jae-won, Policy Committee Chair of the UFP, said, "Just a few days ago, they called the formation of the Future Korea Party (UFP's proportional satellite party) 'fake politics' and 'bad political agitation,'" and added, "It is despicable."