Democratic Party Holds Closed Meeting... Heated Debate Over Electoral System
"Many Oppose Parallel Voting"... Decision Expected as Early as Next Week
Electoral District Delimitation Talks Prioritize Ruling and Opposition Agreement in Political Reform Committee
Kim Min-seok: "Lee Nak-yeon Sakura... Those Who Want to Leave the Party Should Leave"
The Democratic Party of Korea convened a party meeting on the 14th to discuss the 'electoral system reform' plan but once again failed to reach a conclusion. Internal strife appears to be intensifying as opinions criticizing the leadership, which is leaning toward a 'return to the parallel system,' continue to emerge. In particular, heated debates broke out over division movements, including the 'formation of a new party,' and criticism targeting the leadership urging them to "listen to minority opinions" was also reportedly raised.
On the morning of the same day, the Democratic Party held a closed party meeting at the National Assembly to discuss internal issues such as electoral system reform. While the party leadership, led by Representative Lee Jae-myung, leaned toward a 'return to the parallel system,' many lawmakers voiced opposition, leading to intense debates. The Democratic Party also held a party meeting on the 30th of last month to discuss the electoral system but only confirmed differences in views at that time.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the talent recruitment ceremony of entrepreneur Lee Jae-sung, a former NCSoft employee, at the National Assembly on the 14th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
Im Oh-kyung, the party floor spokesperson, told reporters immediately after the meeting, "Today's meeting was not a place for decisions but a place to 'listen,'" adding, "There were slightly more opposing opinions regarding the return to the parallel system." She continued, "Basically, many opinions suggested that some decision should be made around next week," and said, "Since this is not something to be decided solely within the floor but also requires discussions with the party leadership, please wait a little longer."
With the general election just four months away, the ruling and opposition parties have yet to find common ground on electoral system reform. The semi-proportional representation system, introduced under opposition leadership in the last general election, allocates seats based on party vote shares, filling 50% of proportional seats after subtracting district winners. The parallel system, applied until the 20th general election, simply distributes proportional seats according to party vote shares and is the reform plan advocated by the ruling party.
The Democratic Party is experiencing internal strife without establishing a party stance. Since Representative Lee Jae-myung stated on the 28th of last month, "What use is it to lose stylishly?" the party leadership has leaned toward a 'return to the parallel system,' but opposition remains strong. The opposing view is to maintain the mixed-member proportional system while separately preparing measures to prevent satellite parties. Representative Lee Tan-hee, who opposed the return to the parallel system and declared he would not run in the general election, reportedly shed tears while repeatedly persuading lawmakers during the meeting. Supreme Council member Ko Min-jung also criticized on her SNS immediately after the meeting, saying, "I oppose the return to the parallel system," and added, "If there are problems with the mixed-member proportional system, we should discuss supplementary measures, but if we nullify the promise made to the people because of problems, politics will become a laughingstock."
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 8th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
Additionally, criticism targeting the party leadership, including Representative Lee Jae-myung, was raised at the meeting. This is interpreted as concerns over division caused by the leadership's actions centered on a hardline support base. Im Oh-kyung, the party floor spokesperson, said, "There was an opinion that minority views should also be listened to and that the leadership should directly hear such opinions," adding, "This was said in the context that the leadership should make efforts to listen in order for the party to move forward in a constructive direction."
The party plans to wait a bit longer regarding 'electoral district delimitation.' Kim Young-bae, the opposition floor whip of the Political Reform Special Committee, requested additional time until the 18th to reach a bipartisan agreement within the committee, and Floor Leader Hong Ik-pyo reportedly accepted this. The Democratic Party has previously opposed the delimitation plan sent to the National Assembly by the Electoral District Delimitation Committee, calling it a 'pro-ruling party plan,' and the National Assembly can request a re-delimitation once through the committee's resolution.
Furthermore, heated debates reportedly took place over the actions of former Representative Lee Nak-yeon, who has formalized the 'formation of a new party.' Representative Kim Min-seok, classified as pro-Lee Jae-myung faction, explained that his earlier remark calling former Representative Lee a 'Sakura' (a term used in politics to describe a turncoat) was "an unavoidable expression." Nevertheless, Kim reportedly raised his voice repeatedly, saying, "The new party is unacceptable. It must be crushed at the outset," and "Those who want to leave (the Democratic Party) should leave."
In response, Representative Oh Young-hwan reportedly countered by mentioning the party's reformist group 'Principles and Common Sense' and former Representative Lee, saying, "What these people have in common is that they express their convictions and judgments despite anticipating numerous criticisms." Oh criticized, "Is it truly Democratic Party-like to exclude and criticize minority opinions just because they think differently, regardless of whether those opinions are right or wrong?" and questioned, "Is it so urgent to criticize the party's minority opinions with words like watermelon, Sakura, and political schemer?"
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