The Deubureo Citizen Party Likely to Take Third Place in Party Vote... Democratic Party Dispatches 7 Incumbents

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Choi Bae-geun and Woo Hee-jong, co-leaders of the Together Citizens' Party, are holding a meeting at the National Assembly on the 25th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] The Democratic Party of Korea, which participated in the proportional representation coalition party The Together Citizens' Party, is expected to occupy the third slot on the 4.15 party ballot.

Yoon Ho-jung, Secretary-General of the Democratic Party, said in a KBS radio interview on the morning of the 25th, "We requested some of our members who are not running for re-election to transfer their party affiliation to the Citizens' Party," adding, "About seven members are expected to do so. The final report will be made at the members' meeting this afternoon."

If this continues, The Together Citizens' Party will occupy the third slot on the party ballot for this general election. Party names are listed in order of the number of incumbent members. So far, the number of seats held by parties that have nominated proportional representation candidates are Minsheng Party 21 seats, Future Korea Party 9 seats, Justice Party 6 seats, Liberty Republican Party 2 seats, People's Party 1 seat, Minjung Party 1 seat, and Open Democratic Party 1 seat.

The Future Korea Party also has a chance to take the first slot. Won Yoo-chul, leader of the Future Korea Party, said after paying respects at the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery the day before, "Our goal is to secure 26 seats in the general election," and added, "There are about 10 members from the United Party who will lend their support."

When asked if the number was smaller than that of the Future Korea Party, Secretary-General Yoon replied, "Rather than being greedy about the ballot number, it is easier for voters to find the party if it appears toward the front of the ballot by securing a certain number of seats, so we made the recommendation from that perspective."

However, the day before, the leadership including Representative Lee Hae-chan held meetings at the Yeouido party headquarters with nine members who were cut off (excluded from nomination) or lost in primaries?district members Geum Tae-seop, Shin Chang-hyun, Lee Gyu-hee, Won Hye-young, Son Geum-ju, Lee Hoon, and proportional representatives Je Yoon-kyung, Jung Eun-hye, Shim Ki-jun?making a last-ditch effort to persuade them.

Representative Geum Tae-seop clearly expressed refusal immediately after the meeting, saying, "I am opposed and told them I will not go." Representatives Won Hye-young and Son Geum-ju also reportedly expressed to the leadership their intention not to join The Together Citizens' Party. Representatives Lee Gyu-hee and Jung Eun-hye expressed willingness to be dispatched, while Representative Lee Hoon responded to the question "Have you made a decision?" with "Not yet." Representative Je Yoon-kyung also answered "Yes" when asked if she was still considering it.

The Democratic Party will decide the final dispatched members at today's meeting and proceed with expulsion measures against proportional representatives. According to current law, proportional representatives automatically lose their seats if they leave the party. According to the Democratic Party's constitution and regulations, expulsion of party members requires a majority vote of the members present at the party meeting. Secretary-General Yoon said in response to the question "How many will be expelled?" that "Currently, three proportional representatives." This is interpreted to mean that not only Representative Jung but also Je Yoon-kyung and Shim Ki-jun have effectively expressed positive intentions toward dispatch.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party continues to draw a line regarding the possibility of an alliance with the Open Democratic Party, led by former Representatives Jung Bong-ju and Son Hye-won. Secretary-General Yoon said, "The Open Democratic Party is a party completely unrelated to our Democratic Party," adding, "Looking at their candidates, they are people who have been active as prominent figures around the political sphere. While they may be good at fighting against the opposition, the ruling party must be a responsible party that governs the country."