Lowest Trust in National Assembly Members
Intention to Renounce Privileges and Achieve Radical Reform
Possible by Reducing Constituency and Proportional Representatives
Handonghun, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is giving a greeting at the 'Incheon City Party New Year's Meeting' held at the Incheon Caris Hotel on the 16th. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@
Han Dong-hoon, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, explained the methodology behind the party’s promise made at the Incheon City Party New Year meeting the previous day to reduce the number of National Assembly members by 50. Lee Yang-su, the party’s floor leader deputy, stated that “if proportional representation seats are cut by about half and the natural decrease in constituency seats is combined, nearly 50 seats can be reduced.” Chairman Han pledged to reduce the number of National Assembly members in Incheon Gyeyang, the constituency of Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea, from the current 300 to 250.
On the 17th, Deputy Floor Leader Lee appeared on ‘SBS Kim Tae-hyun’s Political Show’ and emphasized, “The trust level of National Assembly members is at the lowest. This is about relinquishing vested interests and undergoing a complete transformation.” He criticized those among the proportional representatives who are not specialists in economics, security, or advocates for minority rights as people who are only eager to align themselves with party leaders. He also criticized members who, after entering through proportional representation, are focused on switching constituencies for the next election, stressing that “proportional representation seats can be reduced by about half.”
Under the current Public Official Election Act, the number of National Assembly members is 300 (253 constituency seats and 47 proportional representation seats). The Constitution stipulates that “the number of National Assembly members shall be determined by law but shall be no fewer than 200.”
Regarding the Democratic Party’s criticism of the reduction in the number of members as a “fly-by-night pledge,” he said, “The Democratic Party wants to cling to vested interests,” adding, “Whenever the number of members is discussed, the Democratic Party gets nervous as if it’s a big problem. Would the public really agree with that?”
Deputy Floor Leader Lee stated that the People Power Party will pursue the reduction in the number of members as an extension of its political reform plan. Chairman Han had previously mentioned political reform measures such as waiving parliamentary immunity, returning salaries upon confirmation of imprisonment, and not nominating candidates in by-elections caused by personal fault. He said, “Each individual should relinquish vested interests, and collectively reduce vested interests to restore the public’s trust.”
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