Proposal to Set Election Law Revision Timing to 2028
Election Law Proposal Acceptable to Both the People and National Assembly Members
Lee Won-wook, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, apologized on the 13th regarding the introduction of the semi-proportional representation system. He also proposed seriously considering the discussion on reducing the number of lawmakers, as advocated by the People Power Party leadership, and suggested applying the revision of the election law not from the next general election but from the one after that.
On the same day, at the plenary meeting for election system reform held at the National Assembly, Lee apologized to the public regarding the Democratic Party's introduction of the semi-proportional representation system in the last general election together with other opposition parties except the Liberty Korea Party. He said, "I sincerely apologize to the people," adding, "Members of the People Power Party who pushed for the semi-proportional system demand that the Democratic Party apologize first. As the former chief deputy floor leader at the time, who bears great responsibility, I take this opportunity to apologize to the people."
Regarding the revision of the election law, he mentioned the possibility and acceptability that both the public and lawmakers can accept, presenting a public persuasion plan centered on reducing the number of lawmakers while strengthening proportional representation or implementing a large multi-member district system.
Lee stated, "The public's demand is to reduce the number of lawmakers and to directly elect local lawmakers, so they want to maintain the single-member district system," and argued, "In this situation, the reform of the electoral district system aimed at a multi-party system will only be far off."
In this regard, he proposed reviewing the reduction of the number of lawmakers so that the public can accept it first. He said, "To increase acceptability, let's seriously consider the issue of reducing 30 seats in the National Assembly, as suggested by Kim Gi-hyeon, the leader of the People Power Party," and added, "Let's promise to reduce the number of seats in the National Assembly in response to the public's demand." He further said, "If the plenary committee decides to reduce seats by 10%, the public will look at the National Assembly differently."
Instead, Lee advocated for the introduction of regional proportional representation and a large electoral district system. He said, "A multi-party system is undoubtedly an advanced political reform task in South Korea today," and appealed, "To overcome the factional politics that only cause fights, please understand that a multi-party system is necessary through regional proportional representation and a large electoral district system. Let's appeal that the single-member district system is not acceptable."
Regarding election system reform, he also said, "I will propose that the election law be completed now for the 23rd National Assembly in 2028," so that lawmakers can accept it. The election law would be created this time but its implementation would be postponed until the general election after the next one.
Additionally, Lee proposed that specific plans for electoral district delimitation be decided by the National Election Commission or a public deliberation body, and suggested asking the Constitutional Court through a plenary committee decision on relaxing the population criteria for district delimitation to enhance regional representation.
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