[Q&A] Democratic Party to Decide Seoul and Busan Mayoral Nominations by 'All-Member Vote'

"This Weekend, All Party Members Will Vote on Amendments to the Party Charter"
"Ruling Party Fielding Candidates to Face Public Judgment Aligns with Responsible Politics Principles"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] The Democratic Party of Korea has decided to determine whether to nominate candidates for the Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections through a vote of all party members.

Choi In-ho, the senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party, stated at a briefing held at the National Assembly that "Representative Lee Nak-yeon, after a resolution at the Supreme Council meeting this morning, decided to pursue the nomination of candidates for next year's by-elections through a vote of party members with voting rights and all party members by amending the party constitution."

Accordingly, the Democratic Party plans to ask for approval or disapproval of the party constitution amendment in the all-member vote this weekend, and then proceed with the party constitution amendment procedures such as the Party Affairs Committee and Central Committee resolutions next week.

Below is a Q&A with Senior Spokesperson Choi.

◆ The party constitution states that if the party is at fault, no candidate should be nominated for the by-election. Is it possible if there is a Supreme Council resolution?

= The party constitution must be amended to nominate candidates for the by-election. Amending the party constitution is the authority of the Central Committee. This matter was delegated to the Central Committee at the party convention. However, before going to the Central Committee, the party members' will on whether to nominate candidates for the by-election is being asked. If the voting result is to nominate candidates, the matter will be formally submitted to the Party Affairs Committee next week according to the party constitution procedures, and the Central Committee will finally amend the party constitution.

◆ What is the voting question?

= It will be a question regarding candidate nomination, such as "Amendment of the party constitution is necessary to nominate candidates. Do you agree?"

◆ By asking party members, does this mean the leadership has expressed the intention to nominate candidates?

= As Representative Lee Nak-yeon said, as a ruling party and a public party, it is more in line with the principles of responsible politics to nominate candidates and be judged by the people rather than not nominating candidates. This is the judgment made. And this intention is to be confirmed through the vote of party members with voting rights and all party members, which will be conducted this weekend.

◆ Does this mean the party constitution and regulations that prohibit nominating candidates in case of corruption will be removed?

= They will not be removed, but a proviso clause will likely be added to amend the party constitution.

◆ Is there a special reason for nominating candidates through the proviso clause?

= As a ruling party that should take the lead in implementing responsible politics, it was judged that nominating candidates is a path more consistent with responsible politics.

◆ There was once an opinion that candidates should not be nominated in either Seoul or Busan.

= Candidates must be nominated in both Seoul and Busan.

◆ When will the conclusion be reached?

= Online voting will be conducted this Saturday and Sunday. Once the voting results are out, the Party Affairs Committee will be convened to submit the matter, followed by the Central Committee meeting to amend the party constitution. The overall party constitution amendment process is expected to be completed next week.

◆ The original purpose of the party constitution was to prevent corruption. Isn't this undermining the principles?

= There were many agonies and concerns from that perspective. Various opinions were heard, and the will of party members was confirmed through multiple channels. The conclusion was that rather than not nominating candidates, nominating candidates to fulfill responsibilities as a public party and being judged by citizens through better policies is the path consistent with responsible politics.

◆ Is there a required valid voter turnout rate for the all-member vote?

= It would be preferable to have a high turnout, but the decision will be made based on those who actually vote.