Lee Jun-seok: "Abolishing the Semi-Linked Proportional Representation System Aligns with a Multi-Party System" (Comprehensive)

"Only Party Interests Considered at Introduction"
"All Election Methods Present Strange Situations"
"Electoral District Discussions Face Challenges as Local Elections Near"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Hyun-ji] Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, expressed on the 23rd that "the semi-proportional representation system should be considered for abolition" in relation to the multi-party political reform issue that has arisen ahead of the June 1 local elections. He pointed out that maintaining the semi-proportional representation system contradicts the goal of realizing a multi-party system.

On the same day, during a meeting with Lee Young-guk, leader of the Justice Party, Lee said, "At the time of introducing the semi-proportional representation system, each party voted based on their own interests, resulting in a non-permanent system. Due to fragmented discussions, South Korea is in a peculiar situation where the methods for electing basic councilors, metropolitan councilors, and National Assembly members are all different." He added, "I hope the Special Committee on Political Reform (Jeonggae Special Committee) studies a sustainable system."

This meeting was arranged at the request of Lee Young-guk, who urged Lee Jun-seok to amend the Public Official Election Act, focusing on the introduction of multi-member constituencies with 3 to 5 members and the prohibition of splitting electoral districts. Lee Young-guk said to Lee Jun-seok, "From this local election, please make a significant decision on amending the Public Official Election Act so that the path to multi-party democracy can open a little more, with the People Power Party as the prospective ruling party." In response, Lee Jun-seok said, "I am a person who prefers multi-member constituencies," but also drew a line by saying, "I sympathize with the party's recognition that there may be difficulties in determining electoral districts with the local elections imminent."

Later, in a meeting with reporters, Lee Jun-seok emphasized again, "If it becomes a 5-member constituency, the basic councilor electoral districts will become too large depending on the region, making it practically difficult for political newcomers to challenge. There are also drawbacks such as high time and financial costs that prevent basic councilor activities." He added, "While I philosophically share some opinions with the Justice Party, it is difficult to agree on the need for any changes in the current state."

On the same day, Lee Young-guk delivered the five major policy tasks of the Presidential Transition Committee to Lee Jun-seok. These included policy tasks to overcome inequality, such as the 'Citizen Minimum Income Guarantee of 1 million won,' 'Nationwide Hospital Expense Cap of 1 million won,' 'Application of Labor Standards Act and Serious Accident Punishment Act to workplaces with fewer than 5 employees,' and 'Four-day workweek,' which were pledged by Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party candidate during the presidential election. Lee Jun-seok responded, "I will deliver these to the transition committee for review."

Meanwhile, regarding the internal conflict within the People Power Party over the local election nomination rules, Lee Jun-seok emphasized, "I have opposed penalties related to incumbent candidacy and independent candidacy experience." He continued, "Coincidentally, Kim Jae-won, a Supreme Council member, said on a broadcast that I proposed 35%, but he himself reduced it to 25%. However, there are meeting minutes, and attendees at the meeting say this is not true at all." He explained, "Recently, as Kim Jae-won is running for Daegu mayor, various misunderstandings have arisen, and these are being unfairly blamed on the party leader."

Earlier, Kim Jae-won appeared on TBS Radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' and, when asked, "Did Kim Jae-won lower the 35 points proposed by Lee Jun-seok to 25 points?" he replied, "The conclusion was that way, but in the process, Lee Jun-seok might have proposed it without knowing the details."