An Minseok: "Roh Moo-hyun Strongly Advocated for the Abolition of the Single-Member District System"

Yeongsu Talks and Opposition Suppression: Yoon Must Show Progressive Attitude to Earn Sincerity Evaluation

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Democratic Party lawmaker An Min-seok predicted that President Yoon Seok-yeol's proposed 'large multi-member constituency system' could result in losses in the metropolitan area, but he also evaluated that it would help overcome extreme political conflicts. However, he emphasized that only if President Yoon shows a progressive attitude regarding the summit meeting with Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung and the 'opposition party suppression' can his sincerity be properly assessed.

On the 4th, An said on SBS's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' "The person who most strongly raised the issue that the single-member constituency system should be abolished was former President Roh Moo-hyun."

Democratic Party lawmaker An Min-seok is conducting an unlimited debate (filibuster) in support of the "Separation of Prosecution's Investigation and Indictment Authority" (검수완박) at the National Assembly plenary session on the 27th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

In a New Year's interview with a media outlet, President Yoon proposed the large multi-member constituency system, saying, "Depending on regional characteristics, methods to elect 2, 3, or 4 members can also be considered." Both ruling and opposition parties began calculating their respective advantages and disadvantages. While the ruling party is advantageous in the metropolitan area, both parties could suffer losses in their 'vote strongholds.' This structure is also analyzed to help resolve the regional division between Yeongnam and Honam.

He said, "Putting political advantages and disadvantages aside, since this has long been a political reform agenda, we cannot just leave regionalism and the winner-takes-all structure where winning by even one vote means election as is," adding, "Politics is distrusted unless this issue of excessively hostile politics is overcome."

He continued, "We will suffer losses in the metropolitan area, and it may even cause internal party confusion. President Yoon throwing this bomb at the beginning of the new year?of course, he must have done simulations first?probably saw results indicating that the general election outcome would be favorable to the People Power Party."

Pointing out the summit meetings that have not yet taken place, An said, "The multi-party system, as the president mentioned, is intended to overcome extreme political conflicts, isn't it? However, the summit meetings are being rejected immediately, and opposition party suppression continues. Therefore, the president must show a progressive change in attitude on these two issues for the sincerity behind proposing the large multi-member constituency system to be properly evaluated."