"Will the Large Multi-member Constituency System Resolve Yeonghonam Conflicts?"
Suggests the Need for Parliamentary Cabinet System Amendment
President Yoon Should Reach Out to Opposition Party
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Jong-in, former emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, evaluated President Yoon Seok-yeol's proposal of the 'large multi-member constituency system' as "difficult to succeed." He also expressed skepticism about the 'breaking of regionalism,' one of the expected effects of the large multi-member constituency system. He suggested the need for constitutional amendment to a parliamentary system, stating that since democratization, "there has been no president who has succeeded kindly."
Former emergency committee chairman Kim appeared on KBS's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strongest Current Affairs' on the 3rd and said, "Constitutional amendments and election law reforms are only possible during major social transformations, and it is not easy to push them forward in normal times."
He said, "To do that, the president himself must have a firm will and a determination to handle this issue for the country's future, saying 'I am the president, but I must deal with this issue.' Without that, it will be difficult. The general election is next year, and even if the large multi-member constituency system is introduced in the National Assembly now, I think it is almost impossible to realize."
There is also an analysis that President Yoon's proposal of the large multi-member constituency system is based on calculations that it could resolve the Yeongnam-Honam conflict and favor the ruling party in the metropolitan area. Regarding this, former emergency committee chairman Kim said, "I don't think the Yeongnam-Honam conflict will be resolved just because of the large multi-member constituency system," and pointed out, "Even with the large multi-member constituency system, Honam will still be dominated by the Democratic Party, and Yeongnam will be dominated by the People Power Party, resulting in the same outcome."
He criticized President Yoon for not making any efforts last year to engage the opposition parties, saying, "First of all, the opposition parties must be dealt with as they are," and pointed out, "In democratic politics, politics cannot be properly conducted if you simply say 'they are opponents because they oppose, so they are not to be dealt with'."
He predicted that the confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties would intensify further this year. He said, "The president has not made any statements about establishing a cooperative system with the opposition even in the new year, and since there will be a general election for National Assembly members next year (2024), the confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties will likely become more intense this year."
He also pointed out that the polarization of politics is a problem inherent in the presidential system itself. He said, "We have had the presidential system for nearly 35 years since democratization in 1987, but honestly, there has been no president who has succeeded kindly," and added, "Therefore, it is necessary to calmly consider how to readjust the constitutional powers the president currently holds."
He has consistently emphasized the need for constitutional amendment to a parliamentary system. Former emergency committee chairman Kim said, "When looking at political systems, one can only think about which is more suitable between the presidential system and the parliamentary system. We have experienced many things under the presidential system and have had almost no successful presidents, which is unfortunate for the country. Now is the time to seriously review this issue."
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