Korea Voters Central Association Strongly Proposes "Ban on Political Party Nominations in Local Elections"

Marking the 30th Anniversary of Local Autonomy,
"Completing Grassroots Democracy" Emerges as a Key Issue

The Korea Voters Central Association (hereinafter referred to as the Voters Central Association) held a grand ceremony for the 'Voter Policy Proposal and 2025 Local Autonomy Legislative Awards' at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 28th.

At the National Assembly Members' Hall large conference room in Seoul on the 28th, award recipients are taking a commemorative photo at the 'Voter Policy Proposal' and '2025 Local Autonomy Legislative Awards' ceremony. Photo by Byunggeon Kwon

This event, marking the 30th anniversary of the revival of local autonomy, served as a platform to propose concrete solutions for restoring the essence of local governance and promoting balanced regional development. Kim Dongyeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, and Kim Kyungsoo, Chairperson of the Local Era Committee, delivered congratulatory video messages, while Jeon Hyunhee, Senior Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, attended in person to offer her congratulations.

"We must move toward elections where residents, not political parties, are the true owners." At the event, Lee Jinyong, Director of the Korea Voters Central Association, officially proposed a ban on political party nominations in local elections as a key measure to fully establish the local autonomy system and prevent the disappearance of local communities.

Director Lee Jinyong asserted, "When nominations in local elections are made by political parties, candidates end up being more concerned about the parties than the residents, resulting in local politics becoming a subordinate organization of central politics. To restore the essence of grassroots democracy, political party nominations should be completely banned starting from the 9th nationwide local elections in 2026."

He further emphasized, "Although it is unlikely that members of the National Assembly will voluntarily relinquish the power of nomination, we will achieve institutional reform through solidarity between voters and civic groups."

Kim Dongyeon, Kim Kyungsoo, and Jeon Hyunhee call for a new leap forward in local politics. In his video message, Governor Kim Dongyeon stated, "For the past 30 years since the first local elections in 1995, local governments have been steadfast partners in Korea's democracy. The dedication of the lawmakers receiving this year's Local Autonomy Legislative Awards has brought about real change close to the lives of our people."

Kim Kyungsoo, Chairperson of the Local Era Committee, also remarked, "Through the 'Five Major Regions, Three Special Zones' mega-city strategy, we will ensure that local areas become new growth engines for Korea. The competitiveness of local regions is the future of the nation."

Jeon Hyunhee, Senior Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who attended the event in person, said, "The policy proposals presented by the Voters Central Association serve as a compass reflecting the voices of the people. I will do my utmost to ensure that the will of the voters is realized in policy."

129 lawmakers nationwide honored with 'Local Autonomy Legislative Awards' At the '8th Jeongmyeong Awards_Local Autonomy Legislative Awards Ceremony' held on the same day, 129 members from metropolitan and basic councils across the country were selected.

The Jeongmyeong Awards are organized by the Voters Central Association and the Jeongmyeong Awards Organizing Committee. Recipients are chosen through a rigorous evaluation by a selection committee comprising professors, lawyers, and representatives from civil society, and are awarded to lawmakers who have contributed to national and community development over the past year.

◆ Metropolitan Council Member Awards

(In alphabetical order) Kwon Gwangtaek (Gyeongbuk Provincial Council), Kim Gihwan (Jeju Special Self-Governing Provincial Council), Kim Donggu (Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Provincial Council), Kim Sanggon (Gyeonggi Provincial Council), Kim Siyong (Gyeonggi Provincial Council), Kim Yugon (Incheon City Council), Kim Heesu (Gyeongbuk Provincial Council), Kim Jongbae (Incheon City Council), Kim Changseok (Busan City Council), Kim Honggu (Gyeongbuk Provincial Council), Noh Seonghwan (Gyeongbuk Provincial Council), Ryu Gijun (Jeonnam Provincial Council), Mo Jeonghwan (Jeonnam Provincial Council), Park Myungsoo (Gyeonggi Provincial Council), Park Seongjae (Jeonnam Provincial Council), Park Wonjong (Jeonnam Provincial Council), Park Jongcheol (Busan City Council), Park Heeyong (Busan City Council), Bang Hanil (Chungnam Provincial Council), Bae Youngsook (Busan City Council), Seo Gukbo (Busan City Council), Seo Hyeonok (Gyeonggi Provincial Council), Yang Gyeongho (Jeju Provincial Council), Yang Hongsik (Jeju Provincial Council), Yeo Mijeon (Sejong City Council), Yoon Kwongeun (Daegu City Council), Yoon Subong (Jeonbuk Provincial Council), Lee Cheol (Jeonnam Provincial Council), Lee Hyungsik (Gyeongbuk Provincial Council), Lee Byeongdo (Seoul City Council), Lee Seungwoo (Busan City Council), Lee Jeongrin (Jeonbuk Provincial Council), Lee Jaetae (Jeonnam Provincial Council), Lim Jirak (Jeonnam Provincial Council), Lim Jihun (Incheon City Council), Jeon Gyeongseon (Jeonnam Provincial Council), Jeong Cheol (Jeonnam Provincial Council), Jeong Geunsu (Gyeongbuk Provincial Council), Jeong Taesuk (Busan City Council), Jo Gyeonggu (Daegu City Council), Joo Jongseop (Jeonnam Provincial Council), Choi Byeongyong (Jeonnam Provincial Council), Choi Taerim (Gyeongbuk Provincial Council), Han Wonchan (Gyeonggi Provincial Council).

◆ Basic Council Member Awards

(In alphabetical order) Ga Seonsuk (Seosan City Council), Kang Dohui (Busanjin District Council), Kang Hyuntae (Yeosu City Council), Kwon Areum (Wonju City Council), Kim Gyuchan (Chairman, Uiryeong County Council), Kim Miyeon (Busan Gwangdong District Council), Kim Mingyu (Sacheon City Council), Kim Boknam (Uljin County Council), Kim Soeun (Suseong District Council), Kim Younggil (Gumi City Council), Kim Youngin (Hampyeong County Council), Kim Youngju (Pyeongtaek City Council), Kim Youngjin (Yesan County Council), Kim Youngtae (Gumi City Council), Kim Youngtae (Chairman, Namwon City Council), Kim Younghwa (Daegu Dong District Council), Kim Okrang (Bonghwa County Council), Kim Oksu (Gwangju Seo District Council), Kim Yusuk (San City Council), Kim Jaeguk (Icheon City Council), Kim Jeongrim (Andong City Council), Kim Jongbo (Jongno District Council), Kim Changho (Uiryeong County Council), Kim Chaekyung (Yeosu City Council), Kim Cheolmin (Yeosu City Council), Kim Taegye (Michuhol District Council), Kim Taegum (Yesan County Council), Kim Hyeonjeong (Gangnam District Council), Kim Hyosuk (Dongjak District Council), Noh Mikyung (Ulju County Council), Noh Jonggwan (Cheonan City Council), Moon Byeongo (Hongseong County Council), Min Gyeongmae (Haenam County Council), Park Munseo (Hampyeong County Council), Park Seokyeon (Yuseong District Council), Park Seonmi (Hanam City Council), Park Sunhwa (Buyeo County Council), Park Shinyoung (Cheongsong County Council), Park Yongjun (Daejeon Seo District Council), Park Usik (Gijang County Council), Park Jeongsu (Yeonsu District Council), Park Jeonghwan (Ulsan Buk District Council), Park Chunnam (Mungyeong City Council), Park Haesu (Chungju City Council), Bae Yongju (Gangneung City Council), Seo Jeongsik (Mungyeong City Council), Son Gwangyeong (Vice Chairman, Andong City Council), Son Seongho (Yeongju City Council), Son Jongseok (Chairman, Sunchang County Council), Shin Dongcheol (Dongjak District Council), Yang Giyeol (Eunpyeong District Council), Yang Sunim (Seongbuk District Council), Woo Seungwon (Yeongyang County Council), Yoo Suhee (Cheonan City Council), Yoo Changhun (Mokpo City Council), Yoon Hyebin (Ulsan Dong District Council), Lee Bonggwan (Siheung City Council), Lee Sangbok (Chairman, San City Council), Lee Sukja (Namwon City Council), Lee Yoonjae (Jungnang District Council), Lee Jaegap (Andong City Council), Lee Jeongsun (Namdong District Council), Lee Jongman (Cheonan City Council), Lee Jongho (Chairman, Incheon Jung District Council), Lee Jugap (Wanju County Council), Lee Jiweon (Cheonan City Council), Jang Gyeongsun (Suncheon City Council), Jang Gyeongwon (Suncheon City Council), Jang Gilseon (Chairman, Jeonggure County Council), Jang Hyeonhee (Yeonsu District Council), Jeon Seungil (Chairman, Gwangju Seo District Council), Jeon Jaeok (Chairman, Taean County Council), Jeong Seoyun (Dongdaemun District Council), Jeong Insuk (Chairman, Daegu Dong District Council), Jeong Hyeonung (Hampyeong County Council), Joo Sunja (Gwanak District Council), Jin Baegun (Sacheon City Council), Choi Jeongung (Busanjin District Council), Choi Hunsik (Chairman, Uiseong County Council), Han Gapsu (Ansan City Council), Han Gyeongbong (Gunsan City Council), Heo Jeongmi (Pyeong District Council), Hyeon Oksun (Ansan City Council), Hong Seonghee (Seocheon County Council), Hong Sunseo (Incheon Seo District Council).

This proposal by the Korea Voters Central Association to ban political party nominations goes beyond a simple discussion of the electoral system and is seen as a call for fundamental reflection on 30 years of local autonomy. Shifting to a system where leaders are chosen based on the evaluation of residents rather than party nominations will be the first step toward true local self-government, where the local community becomes the real owner.