"Democratic Party Urges to Prevent Return to Parallel System with Passage of Satellite Party Prevention Law" ... Collective Voices of Lee Tan-hee and Democratic Party Members

Lee Tan-hee and 29 Others Urge Passage of Satellite Prevention Act Through Statement

Democratic Party lawmakers issued a statement on the 15th calling for the passage of the ‘Satellite Party Prevention Act.’ The aim is to address the satellite party issue, considered the biggest weakness of the mixed-member proportional representation system, through legislation to prevent a return to the parallel proportional representation system and maintain the current system. This is interpreted as putting pressure on the Democratic Party leadership, which had been leaning toward a return to the parallel proportional representation system.

Democratic Party lawmaker Itanhee released a statement at a press conference on the same day urging the party to adopt the Satellite Party Prevention Act as party policy. During the press conference, Itanhee said, “The Democratic Party must immediately push forward the Satellite Party Prevention Act,” adding, “The claim that ‘there is no way to stop satellite parties’ is nothing but a cowardly excuse by the People Power Party. It is a trick to produce a large number of wasted votes and distort voter intentions to gain a few extra seats.” He continued, “The Democratic Party must be different,” and introduced, “In the last presidential election, we promised to prevent satellite parties through the ‘Declaration of National Unity and Political Reform’ in front of the people in Myeongdong, Seoul, the final campaign site of former Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun. Naturally, all Democratic Party lawmakers jointly guaranteed this by adopting it as party policy,” then argued, “Our innovation must start with the basic promise to the people.”

Lee Tan-hee, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker. / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

He stated, “President Kim Dae-jung achieved democratization by forming an alliance with President Kim Young-sam, and the DJP coalition overcame the national crisis of the IMF. President Roh Moo-hyun even pursued a grand coalition to reform the electoral system, and President Moon Jae-in made multifaceted efforts to become a president for all people,” adding, “We must start the general election by reaffirming before the people the party policy to maintain the mixed-member proportional representation system created by the spirit of Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun.” Itanhee said, “The Democratic Party received the people’s choice when it was more united and more moral,” and declared, “Now is the time for the Democratic Party to make a decision.”

According to political circles, the People Power Party and the Democratic Party are discussing a parallel proportional representation election method that adds regional blocks instead of the current semi-proportional representation system. The People Power Party has already approved the parallel proportional representation system with single-member districts at a party meeting, and the Democratic Party is also reportedly setting the direction for election law reform in this manner. However, some Democratic Party lawmakers, including Itanhee, are opposing the return to the parallel proportional representation system. Itanhee has already expressed opposition to the return by stating he would “stake his position” on maintaining the mixed-member proportional representation system.

The statement was signed by lawmakers including Kang Min-jung, Kang Hoon-sik, Ki Dong-min, Kim Kyung-hyeop, Kim Du-kwan, Kim Sang-hee, Kim Han-gyu, Moon Jin-seok, Min Byung-duk, Min Hyung-bae, Song Gap-seok, Shin Jeong-hoon, Yang Yi-won-young, Yoon Gun-young, Yoon Young-duk, Yoon Young-chan, Yoon Jun-byeong, Lee Su-jin (proportional), Lee Won-wook, Lee Yong-bin, Lee Yong-woo, Itanhee, Lee Hak-young, Jang Cheol-min, Jeon Yong-gi, Jeong Pil-mo, Jo Oh-seop, Choi Ki-sang, and Hwang Un-ha. Itanhee’s office said additional signatories may be added.

What Satellite Party Prevention Laws Exist?

The ruling and opposition parties considered abolishing the mixed-member proportional representation system because it was pointed out that the satellite party problem confirmed in the 21st general election could not be prevented. On the other hand, Itanhee argues that if a law banning satellite parties is enacted, the mixed-member proportional representation system can be maintained. He has argued that while maintaining the mixed-member proportional representation system may cost the Democratic Party some seats, it would expand the entry of minor parties into the legislature and enable coalition politics. Through this, a majority coalition (200 seats) could be secured to suppress President Yoon Seok-yeol’s exercise of the veto power on bills.

Several bills banning satellite parties have been proposed in the National Assembly. Broadly, methods include restricting election subsidies or party subsidies through the Political Funds Act and amending the Public Official Election Act to list all party names on the party vote ballot regardless of whether they nominate proportional representation candidates.

Justice Party lawmaker Shim Sang-jung proposed an amendment to the Political Funds Act that provides election subsidies only to parties that nominate at least five candidates each in constituency and proportional representation elections. This means satellite parties nominating only proportional representation candidates would not receive election subsidies. Itanhee proposed an amendment to the Political Funds Act to reduce party subsidies if a ‘constituency majority party’ with more proportional representation winners than constituency winners and a ‘proportional representation majority party’ with more constituency winners than proportional representation winners merge, to suppress mergers between satellite parties and main parties.

Democratic Party lawmakers Kang Min-jung and Shim Sang-jung proposed an amendment to the Public Official Election Act that separates constituency and party vote ballots and requires all parties’ symbols and names to be listed on the party vote ballot regardless of whether they field candidates. Democratic Party lawmaker Park Seong-jung proposed an amendment to the Public Official Election Act that mandates parties nominating at least 30% of constituency seats must also nominate at least 30% of candidates within the proportional representation seats.