Handonghun and Lee Jaemyung Already Support
Discussion Expected to Proceed in the Public Administration Committee
On the 11th, the out-of-office party association chairpersons of the People Power Party officially requested the party leadership to revive the district party system. This move was made out of concern that discussions on the revival of district parties might fizzle out due to the changing atmosphere in the National Assembly amid partisan conflicts, the national audit, and next year's budget review.
Kim Jong-hyuk, a Supreme Council member who serves as the chairman of the People Power Party's out-of-office party association chairpersons' council, stated to reporters after the Supreme Council meeting on the same day, "Today, we submitted a request for the revival of district parties to the Supreme Council in the names of 129 out-of-office party association chairpersons."
The district party is a regional party organization centered around regional chairpersons, with offices and the ability to receive donations. It was first established in 1962 and was abolished in 2004 following the passage of the 'Oh Se-hoon Law.' During the 2002 presidential election, the so-called "carte blanche" scandal occurred, leading to criticism that district parties were the forefront of money politics.
Since then, regional party organizations have operated under names such as Party Member Councils (People Power Party) or Regional Committees (Democratic Party), but due to restrictions on office establishment and fundraising, there have been criticisms that this hinders the entry of out-of-office figures and political newcomers into the National Assembly.
Leader Han had previously expressed his intention to revive the district party system during the July 23 party convention phase. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, also expressed support during the August 18 party convention debate. Subsequently, Leader Han and Leader Lee reaffirmed their stance on reviving district parties during the inter-party leaders' meeting in September.
Supreme Council member Kim pointed out, "'Oh Se-hoon Law' made all out-of-office district parties illegal under the name of reform, turning out-of-office party association chairpersons into legal ghosts who cannot exist," adding, "It is absurd that such laws and systems have continued."
He added, "Even the Democratic Party and the Election Commission support the revival of district parties, so it is not only incomprehensible that the People Power Party, which has many more out-of-office party association chairpersons, opposes it, but it also raises criticism that this is a trick to give up the metropolitan area and protect vested interests in certain regions," and said, "This will be an important touchstone for the change and reform that Leader Han advocates."
Kim also said, "We requested to push this forward promptly, saying it is unacceptable for such unreasonable laws to remain in effect beyond the end of the year. Since forming a bipartisan political reform special committee would take too long, Policy Committee Chairman Kim Sang-hoon suggested discussing it in the Administrative and Security Committee, and it will proceed accordingly," he conveyed.
Regarding the revival of district parties, currently, revision bills to the Political Parties Act and Political Funds Act by People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun and revision bills to the Political Parties Act, Political Funds Act, and Public Official Election Act by Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Young-bae have been proposed.
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