The Democratic Party and Proportional Representation Nomination Controversy... A Proxy Battle Reflecting 'Party-Government Conflict'

Pro-Chin Yoon Lawmakers Raise Issues
Jang Dong-hyeok: "No Particular Problems"

Conflicts are escalating within the People Power Party over the proportional representation nominations. Controversy grew as pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) faction lawmakers within the party expressed dissatisfaction with the candidates announced by the People Power Party's satellite proportional representation party, People Power Future.

The issue was first raised by Lee Cheol-gyu, chairman of the People Power Party's Talent Recruitment Committee. On the 18th, after the announcement of People Power Future's proportional representation candidates, Chairman Lee pointed out on Facebook that it was a disappointing nomination, saying, "The regret feels even greater."

Lee Cheol-gyu, Chair of the People Power Party Talent Recruitment Committee. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

On the same day, Chairman Lee wrote on his Facebook, "The party's long-standing convention of not favoring proportional representation candidates consecutively twice has been broken, and none of the party secretariat officials who have devoted themselves to the party have been included in the winning list," adding, "With two emergency committee members included in the proportional representation and two unfamiliar former public officials placed in the winning positions, the disappointment over the party officials who have handled all kinds of difficult tasks not being considered is even greater." This is interpreted as targeting People Power Future lawmaker Kim Ye-ji (number 15), who switched party affiliation from the People Power Party, and Han Ji-a, associate professor at Eulji University College of Medicine and a People Power Party emergency committee member (number 11).

There are also ongoing issues related to figures from the Honam region. Joo Ki-hwan, former chairman of the People Power Party Gwangju City Party Committee, who was placed outside the winning list after receiving number 24 on the proportional representation list, announced his intention to resign, and candidates from the Jeonbuk region raised concerns that there were no candidates from Jeonbuk at all. Lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong also raised issues regarding the order of placement of Honam figures, stating, "It is right to keep the promises made to the people," in relation to the proportional representation list.

The party leadership is not backing down either. Regarding the objections, they stated they will review them but maintain that there are no particular procedural problems. On the morning of the 19th, Jang Dong-hyuk, secretary-general of the People Power Party, said at a briefing, "We will review whether there are any issues to consider regarding verification or the consideration of Honam figures," but added, "I have received reports that there are no special problems with other procedural matters."