Justice Party Decides 'Not Allowed' for Proportional Representation Total Resignation Member Vote

Jeong Hojin Proposes Party Member Vote, Faces Backlash on SNS

Eunju Lee, Emergency Response Committee Chair of the Justice Party, attends a party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 14th and asks members if they wish to speak before the meeting begins. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] The Justice Party has decided against holding a 'proportional representation lawmaker resignation recommendation party member referendum' despite calls for it within the party.

Former Chief Deputy Spokesperson Jeong Ho-jin stated on Facebook on the 7th, "I was informed by Interim Chairperson Lee Eun-ju that the recommendation for resignation of lawmakers is not subject to a party member referendum," and rebutted, "This is an unacceptable decision."

Earlier, on the 5th, former spokesperson Jeong proposed the 'Justice Party 21st National Assembly Proportional Representation Lawmaker Resignation Recommendation Party Member Referendum,' saying, "A strong reform plan is needed to regain the lost public support."

Jeong explained that the interim committee conveyed that the resignation recommendation referendum is effectively a 'party member recall' (a system allowing party members to dismiss officials from their positions), and thus does not qualify as a subject for a referendum.

He said, "It seems they are hiding behind legal technicalities without making political judgments to block party members' demands for reform," and added, "I worry it may appear as if they are trying to hold onto their proportional representation lawmaker seats."

He continued, "Chairperson Lee is also a subject of the resignation recommendation referendum as a proportional representation lawmaker," and asked, "What is there to fear? If you are confident, there is no reason not to accept the political demands of party members."

He emphasized, "The authority to interpret party regulations lies with the National Committee. I request that the National Committee be convened to provide a legal interpretation on what the wise choice for party reform is."