Progressive 'Proportional Alliance', Park's Prison Letter as a Variable

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] As the ruling coalition parties continue to deliberate over participation in the 'proportional representation coalition party,' former President Park Geun-hye's 'prison message' has emerged as a new variable. This is because the conservative camp is showing signs of consolidation, raising a sense of crisis even within the progressive camp.

According to political circles on the 5th, the Democratic Party is considering measures to counter the Future Korea Party's proportional representation 'sweep' strategy by the Future United Party.

Various scenarios such as the 'Democratic Party's independent path' and 'supporting ruling coalition-leaning minor parties through no nomination of proportional representatives' are circulating within the party, but among them, participation in a proportional representation coalition party like the Political Reform Union is the most likely option being discussed. The biggest attraction of this plan is that the Democratic Party can avoid the burden of directly founding a proportional party while blocking the Future United Party from becoming the largest party.

In particular, the Political Reform Union advocates a 'political platform' operation method. It accepts proportional candidates from parties agreeing to the coalition in a kind of dispatch format to contest the election, and after the election, the candidates return to their original parties.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, this method requires the participation of the Justice Party and the Minsaeng Party as a premise, and there are many issues to resolve, such as how to allocate proportional candidates to each party. Above all, persuading the Justice Party is the biggest challenge. On the same day, Justice Party floor leader Yoon So-ha reaffirmed on a radio show, "The Political Reform Union is currently talking about a proportional party. I do not agree with that," indicating no intention to participate.

Justice Party lawmaker Lee Jeong-mi also said that day, "Even if it is not necessarily one big tent, it is right to consider how to increase the overall share of the democratic reform camp."

However, some predict that discussions among progressive parties for coalition nominations will take place soon. This is because the conservative camp's consolidation movement has accelerated following former President Park's 'prison message.'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The day before, former President Park said, "The country is in great difficulty. There may be differences and gaps that are hard to bridge, but for a better Republic of Korea, I earnestly ask all of you who once held the Taegeukgi centered on the existing major opposition party to unite as one." This is interpreted as a call for grand unity centered on the Future United Party, the largest party in the conservative camp.

In fact, conservative opposition parties such as the Future United Party, Liberty Republican Party, and Pro-Park New Party have all expressed welcome for this message, showing a trend toward forming a unified conservative front.

A political insider said, "No matter how high the approval ratings of progressive parties are, in a divided state, they will inevitably struggle against a united conservative party (in the general election competition)," adding, "A conclusion will likely be reached soon on whether to form an electoral alliance or to conduct a proportional representation coalition nomination."