Election System Debate Day 3... Expanding the Number of Lawmakers a 'Hot Potato'

Intense debates in the National Assembly over electoral system reform have continued for three days, but disputes between the ruling and opposition parties over the number of lawmakers and the expansion of the proportional representation system persist. The People Power Party insists on reducing the number of seats by 30, while the Democratic Party and the Justice Party respond negatively to cutting the number of lawmakers. Regarding proportional representation, the People Power Party calls for its reduction or abolition, but the Democratic Party and the Justice Party argue for its expansion.

On the 12th, Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Tan-hee stated on KBS's "Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs" and CBS's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show," "If the number of seats is reduced, the vested interests of lawmakers become stronger," adding, "The fewer the seats, the more lawmakers become aristocrats and emperors."

The full committee of the National Assembly convened for four days starting on the 10th at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, to discuss the election system reform plan (amendment to the Public Official Election Act) to be applied in next year's general election, with ruling and opposition party members engaging in heated debate. This is the first time in 20 years that the full committee has been held since the discussion on the 'Iraq War Dispatch Extension Agreement' in 2003. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Since the 10th, the National Assembly has been holding plenary committee meetings with all lawmakers participating to engage in heated discussions on electoral reform. Another plenary meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. that day to continue the discussions. The hottest issue is whether to maintain the current number of lawmakers. Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, argues that the number of seats should be reduced by 30, as public opinion strongly opposes expanding the number of lawmakers.

Lawmaker Lee is also aware of the public's negative sentiment and suggests entrusting the issue of the number of lawmakers to a "third-party organization." Lee said, "Regarding the number of seats, lawmakers should step back for at least the next year and let citizens or experts participate directly in a third-party body," adding, "A public opinion survey committee could be a good example."

Justice Party leader Lee Jung-mi criticized the ruling party on MBC's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" by saying, "Those who say we should reduce the number of lawmakers and abolish proportional representation seem to be spitting in the face of the people," and raised her voice, "I hope they take some time to deeply consider the fundamental reasons why we are trying to reform the electoral system now."

Regarding the controversy over reducing proportional representation, Lee emphasized its significance by saying, "Those who have gone to prison or lost their seats due to various corruption charges in the National Assembly were not proportional representatives but those active in constituencies," and added, "Because of proportional representation, the percentage of female lawmakers in the National Assembly has risen from just 3-4% to over 10%."

The convening of the National Assembly plenary committee is the first in 20 years since discussions on dispatching troops to Iraq in 2003-2004. However, since the format is not a one-on-one debate but rather lawmakers delivering prepared speeches and leaving, public interest has been low. Over 200 lawmakers attended on the first day, but the number dropped to about 60 on the second day. Lawmaker Lee expressed determination, saying, "We will persistently continue," adding, "The schedule is set until the 13th, but we do not have to reach a conclusion by then. Before reaching a conclusion, several lawmakers including myself from the bipartisan group will do whatever it takes to keep the door open."