Democratic Party's General Assembly on the 14th as a Turning Point
Rep. Itanhee Urges Protection of Mixed-Member Proportional Representation
On the 14th, as the Democratic Party of Korea held a party caucus to discuss electoral system reform, voices expressing concern about a return to the parallel proportional representation system grew louder. Democratic Party lawmaker Itanhee opposed the shift to the parallel system and decided not to run for re-election, and not only members of the non-Myeong (非明) faction 'Principles and Common Sense' but also some individuals previously classified as pro-Myeong (親明) voiced opposition.
Kim Doo-kwan, a three-term lawmaker classified as pro-Myeong, wrote on his social media on the 13th, "They say there will be a party caucus tomorrow (the 14th). It seems they intend to ignore the resolve of the 75 lawmakers who signed the mixed-member proportional representation system and satellite party prevention bill and to seal it with a compromise on the parallel system." He added, "But we can never return to the regressive parallel proportional representation system. I will throw myself in front of that broken locomotive to stop it."
The Democratic Party previously held a party caucus on the 30th of last month to discuss electoral reform and the satellite party ban law, but only confirmed differences of opinion among lawmakers without reaching a conclusion. Therefore, they plan to hold another party caucus on the 14th to discuss electoral reform again, and there is a growing possibility that the conclusion will be a return to the parallel system or allowing satellite parties.
This would violate the pledge made by Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung during the presidential election to "maintain the mixed-member proportional representation system and prevent satellite parties," and there are considerable voices of opposition within the party.
First-term Democratic Party lawmaker Itanhee, who has been shouting "Opposition to the return to the parallel proportional representation system," held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office on the same day, saying, "I will give up everything I have and everything I might have. Just keep the election law," and urged, "The National Assembly and the two major parties should stop discussions on regressive election law and the introduction of a two-party cartel law." He had earlier declared he would not run in his constituency of Yongin, but by taking a step further and declaring his withdrawal, he is pressuring the party.
First-term Democratic Party lawmaker Hong Sung-guk also declared he would not run on the same day. Lee Won-wook, a member of the 'Principles and Common Sense' group of non-Myeong faction lawmakers, criticized via SNS, "Even politicians like Representative Hong, who were principled and steadfast, are exhausted and leaving the Democratic Party," adding, "Leader Lee is suspected of running in the safest proportional seat due to the regressive parallel electoral system despite requests to run in difficult districts. Leader Lee is behind every trick in politics."
Kim Jong-min, also a member of 'Principles and Common Sense,' said, "I have heard that the leadership has already decided to return to the parallel system and is trying to finalize it at the party caucus," raising his voice, "I urge once again, there must be no regression in the election law."
However, despite such criticism, the possibility of returning to the parallel proportional representation system or forming satellite parties is increasing.
Ahn Kyu-baek, chair of the general election strategy committee, said on KBS's 'Special 1 Radio Today' program, "If we do not create satellite parties or go with the parallel system, the opposing People Power Party is already ahead by at least 20 to as many as 35 seats. Would that be a fair game?" arguing from a realistic perspective.
Pro-Myeong lawmaker Kim Min-seok said on the YouTube program 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory,' "If we keep the mixed-member proportional representation system as is, 'People Power Party will create satellite parties, but we will not.' That is noble, but realistically difficult."
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