Park Wan-joo "Democratic Procedures and Communication Are the Start of Innovation... Communicating with the Opposition Party as Well"

"Reestablishing the Party-Government-Blue House Relationship Led by the Party"
"Revising Party Rules to Prevent Candidate Nomination When Causing By-Election... A Posture of Reflection to Show the People"

[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon, Jeon Jin-young] "Lack of communication and one-sidedness are challenges that we (the Democratic Party of Korea) must overcome."

On the 13th, Park Wan-joo, a three-term lawmaker of the Democratic Party of Korea, appeared at the joint debate for floor leader candidates in the afternoon and diagnosed the current state of the Democratic Party as such.

On that day, Rep. Park said, "One-sided policy decisions by a minority have left all 174 members feeling powerless," adding, "Regardless of seniority, I will create a free forum for discussion and public opinion, and regularize policy party meetings." He plans to set the bills to be processed and their timing for one year on major agendas and decide through policy party meetings. He emphasized 'communication' as key.

Rep. Park reflected, "We have somehow lost the values of the Democratic Party and have been turning into a vested interest party," and said, "The start of change and innovation is the recovery of the Democratic Party's values, public empathy, and practice, and this floor leader election will be the beginning."

Park Wan-joo, the candidate for the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering a keynote speech at the 2nd joint debate for the floor leader candidates held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul on the 13th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Rep. Park emphasized that sincere advice and critical voices had been tabooed due to the dominance of hardliners, and pledged to create an environment where healthy criticism can function.

Rep. Park said, "Every party member's voice is precious," adding, "At some point, sincere critical voices became taboo. We now need to discuss within the party the excessive pressure from hardline members that hinders sound debate."

He continued, "Democratic procedures and communication within the party are the start of innovation," mentioning the diversification of communication channels. He said, "We will systematize party meetings for first-term lawmakers and others, regularize meetings between the floor leader group and the policy coordination committee secretaries, and ensure that all interested lawmakers can participate in these meetings."

He also stated that the party-led relationship between the party, government, and Blue House will be reestablished. Rep. Park said, "There is a saying that laws the government wants are passed unilaterally, while laws the people want are passed by consensus," adding, "We will review whether the party-government-Blue House consultations over the past year have aligned with public sentiment and whether internal party discussions have been sufficiently conducted on major bills."

He expressed his intention to expand communication with opposition parties as well. Rep. Park said, "While upholding principles, as the ruling party, we will also communicate with the opposition," adding, "We will resolve issues such as the redistribution of standing committee chairpersons and the election of vice chairs."

He also accepted criticism regarding the nomination of Seoul and Busan mayoral candidates in the April 7 by-elections by revising party rules and regulations, and hinted at the possibility of re-revising party rules to prevent nominating candidates when the party causes the by-election.

Rep. Park concluded, "There is a golden time for change and innovation," adding, "Blaming others will not lead to true reflection. I will take the lead in innovation."