Restoring Diversity in Local Politics: Kickstarting Electoral System Reform

Representative Lim Mi-ae Launches "Task Force for Expanding Pilot Projects on Metropolitan and Basic Council Electoral System Reform"
Full-Scale Discussions Begin on Expanding the Multi-Member Constituency System

Democratic Party lawmaker Lim Mi-ae (Proportional Representation, Daegu, Gyeongbuk) is set to launch full-scale discussions on electoral system reform to secure diversity in local politics and overcome the crisis of regional extinction.

With the launch of this task force, discussions on local political reform and the expansion of pilot projects are expected to accelerate significantly.

On July 30, Lim will hold an inaugural ceremony for the "Task Force for Expanding Pilot Projects on Metropolitan and Basic Council Electoral System Reform" and a policy forum at the National Assembly, where she plans to discuss measures for political innovation in the regions, focusing on expanding the introduction of the multi-member constituency system.

Lim stated, "The current local election system has entrenched a single-party monopoly structure for over 20 years without change," adding, "Reforming the system is essential to revitalize local politics and realize genuine autonomy."

She further emphasized, "The reality of declining local populations and elections being decided solely by nominations from specific parties poses a crisis for regional democracy," and stressed, "Electoral system reform is not merely an institutional improvement, but a survival strategy for local communities."

The launch of the task force is a follow-up measure in response to the positive assessment of the 3-to-5-member multi-member constituency pilot project implemented in some basic councils in 2022. The task force plans to focus on expanding pilot projects for electoral system reform, especially in regions such as Yeongho-nam, where political diversity is particularly limited.

The event will consist of two parts: Part 1, the task force inauguration ceremony (co-hosted by the Korea Decentralization Leaders Conference, KDLC), and Part 2, the policy forum.

Professor Kim Hyung-chul of Sungkonghoe University will serve as the moderator for the forum. Attorney Ha Seung-soo will present on "Evaluation and Challenges of the 2022 Pilot Project," and Seo Bok-gyeong, head of The Possible Research Institute, will give a presentation on "Reform Plans for Metropolitan and Basic Council Electoral Systems."

Following the presentations, representatives from the National Assembly Research Service, local council members from the Democratic Party and the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, and local media stakeholders will participate to discuss practical implementation strategies.

Lim has continuously raised the need for electoral system reform both in the National Assembly and in local communities. With the launch of this task force, discussions on local political reform and the expansion of pilot projects are expected to accelerate.