Party Leadership: "End Controversy and Unite... The Cause of Regime Judgment"
Jeong Cheong-rae, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 12th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
On the 5th, regarding Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, declaring that he will maintain the semi-proportional representation system but create an integrated proportional party, Jeong Cheong-rae, a senior member of the Democratic Party, stated, "In elections, victory is good and defeat is evil," and added, "I will dedicate myself to the Democratic Party's victory in the general election under the semi-proportional system."
Senior member Jeong posted on Facebook that day, "The election system is not a matter of good or evil," and explained, "It is the basic spirit of democracy to engage in fierce debate during the decision-making process and to accept and respect the decision." He added, "Now we must end the controversy and focus solely on winning the general election, faithfully adhering to the spirit of the times to judge the Yoon administration."
Senior member Go Min-jung also wrote on Facebook the same day, "Leader Lee's decision today is not a pledge of loyalty to Chairman Han Dong-hoon’s power, but a vow to the people and historical progress," and said, "With the united steps of more democratic citizens, we will surely overcome the reckless tyranny of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration."
Members of the party leadership also issued messages one after another. Senior member Park Chan-dae emphasized, "There may be various opinions about the election system, but none can surpass the great cause of judging the Yoon Seok-yeol administration," and added, "It is time to unite generously for a greater victory." Senior member Jang Kyung-tae also said, "We will form an integrated proportional party and boldly move forward united with the people to judge the administration."
Earlier that day, Leader Lee announced that the semi-proportional representation system will be implemented in the general election on April 10. The plan is to field only constituency candidates and promote a satellite party called the integrated proportional party to field proportional representation candidates. Until recently, the majority opinion within the Democratic Party regarding the election system was for a parallel proportional representation system. However, considering the political burden from breaking the promise of a multi-party system and pressure from the progressive camp to maintain the semi-proportional system, Leader Lee appears to have shifted his position.
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