Sohn Hak-kyu: "Democratic Party Almost Turned into a Faction... Should Worry About the Country More Than the Party"

"Comparing Lee Jae-myung to Kim Dae-jung? Lee Jae-myung's Broken Promises Are for Personal Gain"

Son Hak-kyu, a senior opposition politician and former leader of the Bareunmirae Party, expressed concern about the Democratic Party of Korea turning into a party faction and emphasized that for the sake of the country, a multi-party system should be established through a mixed-member proportional representation system.

On the 6th, Son said on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "If we leave this as it is, wait a moment, 'Seondanghusa (先黨後私)'?putting party before self?is considered the foremost virtue, but now we really need to worry about the country more than the party. It should be 'Seongukhudang (先國後黨)'?putting the country before the party."

Son Hak-kyu, Standing Advisor of the East Asia Future Foundation, is holding a press conference on election systems at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 4th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

He expressed concern over the Democratic Party's recent trend toward reverting to a parallel voting system and urged Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader, to "keep the promise properly since the mixed-member proportional representation system was a campaign pledge."

The reason he emphasizes the mixed-member proportional representation system is that it enables consensus politics through a multi-party system. Son said, "We need to make considerable policy concessions, engage in policy consultations, and move toward a consensual democracy where our country's politics reach agreements through negotiation and compromise," emphasizing, "The foundation of that is a multi-party system."

He cited the past DJP (Kim Dae-jung-Kim Jong-pil) coalition as a successful example of consensual democracy. Son said, "By creating a centrist party, a middle ground, or a third force, you form allies and friendly parties, make policy concessions, and receive their support. Look at the DJP coalition during President Kim Dae-jung's time. JP appointed all the economic ministers," referring to the past case.

The Democratic Party seems to believe that to win next year's general election, it is necessary either to switch to a parallel voting system or maintain the mixed-member proportional representation system while creating satellite parties. However, Son said, "Right now, it might be disadvantageous to our party, but (switching to the parallel system) seems like both major parties want to secure a majority," adding, "Given the current political situation in our country, the bloodshed of a multi-party system is inevitable."

Hong Ik-pyo, the Democratic Party floor leader, mentioned former President Kim Dae-jung's apology upon returning to politics and said, "It is not necessary to keep all campaign promises." In response, Son raised his voice, saying, "Did Lee Jae-myung think he could be compared to former President Kim? Kim overcame the IMF (International Monetary Fund) crisis and held talks for inter-Korean peace. He developed the electronics industry and improved welfare. It was for the country," adding, "Is Lee Jae-myung changing promises for the sake of the country under this system, or is it for himself and the party?"

When the host explained that "the leadership might say they did it for the country," Son criticized, "What did they do? They just impeached and called for special investigations. Then they opposed personnel hearings unconditionally and even told people to resign and quit. When that didn't work, they pushed for impeachment, and the broadcasting committee chairman resigned. Then they scolded him for resigning."