Proposals for Runoff Voting and Party Democratization
Local Decentralization and Voter Turnout Also Key Tasks
A policy forum to explore ways to realize popular sovereignty in the aftermath of the martial law crisis was held at the Gwangju City Council on April 18.
At the Gwangju Citizens' Victory Rally held on the 4th at the 5.18 Democratic Square in Donggu, Gwangju, following the Constitutional Court's ruling to dismiss President Yoon Seokyeol, citizens are raising placards and shouting slogans. Photo by Yonhap News
The forum, hosted by the Gwangju-Jeonnam branch of the National Conference for Popular Sovereignty, was held under the theme "Building a New Nation: How to Realize Popular Sovereignty." Participants exchanged a wide range of opinions, focusing on expanding citizen participation and political reform.
In the first presentation, Hong Ikpyo, Executive Chairperson, stated, "Through two impeachments and the Candlelight and Light Revolutions, the awareness of popular sovereignty has been significantly heightened." He emphasized the need for the introduction of a runoff voting system, reform of the electoral system, democratization of political parties, and citizen-participatory political reforms.
Shin Jeonghun, Co-Chairperson, added, "With an early presidential election approaching, it is necessary to set concrete directions to realize local autonomy, decentralization, and the value of popular sovereignty."
Seo Daeseok, Executive Representative for Gwangju and Jeonnam, said, "If there is no overwhelming victory in this presidential election, the momentum for national unity could be lost." He stressed the need to achieve high voter turnout and a high vote share in Gwangju and Jeonnam.
The National Conference for Popular Sovereignty, launched last month, is a nationwide organization both inside and outside the National Assembly, with participation from current and former members of the Democratic Party.
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