Discussion on Political Reform Through Lawmaker Meetings in the National Assembly
4 from Democratic Party, 4 from People Power Party, 1 from Justice Party Proposed
[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Senior lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties have joined hands to propose a 'Bipartisan Political Reform Lawmakers' Group' aimed at electoral system reform. The goal is to create a political space where political reform can be discussed beyond the framework of ruling and opposition parties.
On the 9th, four senior members of the Democratic Party of Korea (Kim Sang-hee, Min Hong-chul, Jeon Hae-cheol, Jung Sung-ho), four senior members of the People Power Party (Kim Sang-hoon, Lee Yong-ho, Lee Jong-bae, Cho Hae-jin), and one member from the Justice Party (Shim Sang-jung) held a press conference to propose the 'Bipartisan Political Reform Lawmakers' Group' (tentative name) to all lawmakers.
They stated, "The regionalism structure, the normalization of political strife and extreme confrontations, fandom politics, divisive politics of factional battles, and politics of hatred and curses. Our politics has now hit rock bottom. At this rate, there is no hope left for politics, and the future of the country looks bleak," adding, "We must put an end to outdated politics that divides the people and hinders national development, as well as regressive politics."
Members of the bipartisan political reform group held a press conference on the 9th at the National Assembly regarding the election system reform plan. Attending the event were Rep. Cho Hae-jin of the People Power Party (from the right), Rep. Lee Jong-bae of the People Power Party, Rep. Min Hong-chul of the Democratic Party, Rep. Shim Sang-jung of the Justice Party, Rep. Kim Sang-hee of the Democratic Party, Rep. Jeon Hae-cheol of the Democratic Party, Rep. Kim Sang-hoon of the People Power Party, Rep. Lee Yong-ho of the People Power Party, and Rep. Jung Sung-ho of the Democratic Party. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
Regarding the direction of political reform, they explained, "There is broad consensus on the fundamental tasks of political reform, including breaking down the regionalism structure, resolving the winner-takes-all system, minimizing the extreme wasted vote phenomenon approaching 50%, securing a buffer zone to ease political conflicts and confrontations, representing a pluralistic value system that reflects the diverse political demands and interests of the people, enabling coalition and cooperation through various policy combinations, realizing the equivalence and proportionality of popular sovereignty, and resolving the polarization between the metropolitan area and local regions."
Senior lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties who participated in the press conference explained the reason for proposing the group, saying, "It is a very difficult task to establish a system that achieves change and innovation without favoring either side," and added, "There must be open discussions involving lawmakers from both parties. We need a process of thorough examination and deliberation of all possible institutional alternatives. We have thus prepared a forum for discussion."
They said, "Let all lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties who believe political reform is necessary come together and create reform proposals that the majority can agree on," and added, "The 'Bipartisan Political Reform Lawmakers' Group' will be an open forum that transcends individual and factional interests, contemplating pluralistic democracy, cooperative parliamentarism, and advanced politics of coexistence and collaboration."
Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Hae-cheol, after the press conference, told reporters, "Separately from this group, about 50 lawmakers are leading discussions within the National Assembly, and many of them will also lead this group together," explaining. Regarding the future direction and procedures of the discussions, he said, "We will gather lawmakers and establish a framework for discussion as soon as possible," and added, "Regarding procedural methods, the plenary committee mentioned by National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo will also be considered as a strong alternative."
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