Democratic Party Unanimously Approves Proposal for Semi-Linked Proportional Representation System and Formation of Unified Proportional Party

"Major Third-Party Political Parties Also Join Unified Proportional Representation Party"
No Decision Yet on Local Candidate Unification
Hong Ik-pyo: "Election System to Be Decided Through Democratic Procedures"

The Democratic Party of Korea held a party caucus on the 6th and unanimously resolved to maintain the mixed-member proportional representation electoral system. The party also expressed its intention to pursue a 'unified proportional representation party' with major third-zone parties.

Hong Ik-pyo, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, met with reporters after the party caucus held at the National Assembly on the same day and said, "Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung reported from Gwangju that he would 'maintain the mixed-member proportional representation system' and 'create a unified proportional representation party,' and the members unanimously agreed with the decisions made by Leader Lee and the leadership." Regarding the nature of the unanimous decision, Floor Leader Hong said, "Since this is not about changing or amending existing legislation, there was no need to adopt a party resolution," adding, "The caucus concluded that all members shared the same intention regarding the leadership's decision."

When asked about the scope of participation in the unified proportional representation party, he said, "No specific parties have been designated yet," and added, "We will first consult with other parties that have the form of political parties." Regarding internal opposition, he stated, "There were no opposing members," and explained, "Four years ago, the Democratic Party led the effort without other parties, but this time, we plan to form the unified proportional representation party together with major third-zone parties."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is clapping at the party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 6th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Regarding the order of seats and distribution within the unified proportional representation party, he said, "We will negotiate and decide transparently and fairly," adding, "Since the people will make the choice, we will gather wisdom on how to select good candidates through transparent and fair procedures."

On the unification of candidates in constituencies besides proportional representatives, he said, "No principles or policies have been decided yet regarding the unification of all candidates."

Leader Lee, in his earlier remarks, regarding the plan to establish a satellite party for the opposition, said, "This is not only about proportional representation issues but also a serious time and situation, so I believe overall coalition, unity, and solidarity related to the election are necessary," adding, "We must devise countermeasures against the People Power Party's unilateral satellite party formation while preserving the purpose and intent of the semi-proportional representation system as much as possible and achieve a grand coalition of the opposition."

Regarding the People Power Party's criticism that Leader Lee decided the electoral system, Floor Leader Hong explained in his remarks, "We went through a fully democratic process," and said, "The leadership gathered various opinions. Since the leadership thoroughly considered the final matters between the parallel and mixed-member proportional systems, the leadership jointly took responsibility and entrusted Leader Lee's decision."

Meanwhile, the issue of electoral district delineation, which has been a contentious point between the ruling and opposition parties, is also facing difficulties. Kim Young-bae, the Democratic Party lawmaker serving as the secretary of the Political Reform Special Committee, said, "The secretary of the People Power Party's Political Reform Special Committee contacted me saying that they suddenly received an order to halt all negotiations," adding, "We have the responsibility to complete the electoral district delineation negotiations as soon as possible and allow the registered preliminary candidates and the public to quickly enter the election, and I apologize."