Kim Jin-pyo: "If Fast, a Unified Proposal for Election System Reform Will Be Released This Month"

As of the 13th, the plenary committee for electoral system reform has concluded, and Speaker of the National Assembly Kim Jin-pyo announced that a unified plan will be created as early as this month, or by mid-next month at the latest, to finalize the delineation of electoral districts.

On the 14th, Kim stated on SBS's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' "The goal of the plenary committee is to create a unified plan regarding constituency elections and proportional representation by thoroughly incorporating the various opinions raised during the debate," adding, "If possible, the unified plan will be made within April, but at the latest by mid-May."

Speaker of the National Assembly Kim Jin-pyo is striking the gavel at the 4th plenary session of the 405th National Assembly (extraordinary session) held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 13th. The amendment to the Grain Management Act, which was returned to the National Assembly after President Yoon Seok-yeol exercised his veto power, was ultimately rejected with 290 members present, 177 in favor, 112 against, and 1 abstention. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The National Assembly convened the plenary committee for the first time in 20 years to engage in extensive discussions on the electoral system reform bill, but a unified plan has yet to be reached. Kim said, "Although various opinions were expressed, when looking at the number of pledges, it generally breaks down into two or three combinations each for constituencies and proportional representation," and added, "Based on that, we will work towards convergence, and from now on, it will be a time for negotiation between the ruling and opposition parties."

Through these negotiations, the plan is to prepare a unified proposal, pass it through a plenary vote, and complete the delineation of electoral districts by next month. The legal deadline for electoral district delineation was the 10th, one year before the election date, so the deadline has already passed. "If this (unified plan) goes through a plenary vote and is sent back to the Political Reform Special Committee, the committee will coordinate with the National Election Commission according to the election law to delineate the electoral districts," he said, adding, "Considering the current pace, I think it could be completed as early as May."

Some voices have called for a reduction in the number of National Assembly members and proportional representatives. Regarding this, Kim stated, "Most advanced countries have proportional representation systems, but this system has been poorly managed in our country," and "Some even suggest abolishing or reducing it, but you cannot cut off your arm just because it has a boil."

He also emphasized that the issue of 'satellite parties' will definitely be resolved. He said, "Satellite parties must be eliminated in some form; this opinion has come from almost all members," and added, "a plan to definitely eliminate them will be created."