Park Jumin: "Return to Democratic Party's Parallel System? No Decision Made on Party's Position"

Park Ju-min, the senior deputy floor leader of the Democratic Party, drew a line on reports that the party, which had promised to maintain the 'mixed-member proportional representation system and prevent satellite parties,' has decided to revert to the parallel proportional representation system ahead of next year's general election, stating that "the leadership and the party have not made a decision yet."

On the 6th, Park said on SBS's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' "After going through the last party meeting, the opinions on the parallel and mixed-member systems were really evenly split. I can't judge based on the members who spoke out, but from what I saw, it felt like it was almost a 50-50 split."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Following Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung's remark, "What's the use of losing stylishly?" and floor leader Hong Ik-pyo's comment, "Do we have to keep all promises?" which sparked analysis suggesting a possible return to the parallel proportional representation system or the creation of satellite parties, Channel A released an exclusive report that the Democratic Party has settled on reverting to the parallel proportional representation system.

However, Park said, "Reporters have called me a lot about the news content, but the party leadership has not yet made a decision," adding, "When I asked who the source of the article was, it was just said to be a leadership official. It is not clear who exactly made such remarks."

Regarding floor leader Hong's statement, "Do we have to keep all promises?" Park said, "He did not imply or advocate for the parallel system. This is still at the stage of consideration and there is a stage of decision-making. That was the intended meaning, but it seems there was some misunderstanding," adding, "Nothing has been decided yet."

Regarding former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon's increasing criticism of leader Lee and the possibility of an 'Lee Nak-yeon new party,' Park said, "Former leader Lee has truly loved the Democratic Party more than anyone else and has been a long-time member of the party," adding, "The possibility of a new party formation is very low (in my view)."

On rumors of a 'former prime ministers' alliance' as former leader Lee met with former Prime Ministers Chung Sye-kyun and Kim Boo-kyum, Park said, "I think the same applies to the other two gentlemen. They have strong affection and loyalty to the party more than anyone else, so they would not form a new party or anything like that."