Jeong Cheongrae: Full-Party Vote on One-Member, One-Vote System to Be Held November 19-20

Democratic Party Supreme Council Meeting on November 17
"One Vote for Lawmaker, One Vote for Party Member, One Vote for Delegate"
"Reflecting the June 3 Local Elections... Ushering in a Nomination Revolution"

The Democratic Party of Korea will hold a full-party vote on November 19 and 20 regarding the introduction of a one-member, one-vote system, which would equalize the weight of votes between party members and delegates in party elections.

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on November 17, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

On November 17 at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated, "As promised at the last party convention, we will usher in an era of party member sovereignty, in line with the era of national sovereignty, by introducing a one-member, one-vote system."

Leader Jeong emphasized, "Just as the people are the owners of the nation, party members are the owners of the party," adding, "Everyone should be able to exercise one vote in party elections." He further explained, "A member of the National Assembly should have one vote, a delegate should have one vote, and a party member should have one vote."

He continued, "Any necessary supplements to the one-member, one-vote era-such as considerations for the Federation of Korean Trade Unions or strategic regions-will not be addressed through voting rights, but rather through other policy measures. Supplementary measures have already been prepared through multiple rounds of discussion."

He also added, "As promised to party members, the system allowing ordinary members to serve as Supreme Council members is already in effect, and to strengthen party member education, we are actively conducting sessions with capable lecturers as well as sessions where I personally serve as a speaker. We are also preparing to expand the party member rewards system and further promote the exercise of party member sovereignty."

Leader Jeong stated, "For the June 3 local elections next year, we will achieve a nomination revolution through an open nomination system," adding, "We will put an end to the old practice where a few powerful individuals controlled nominations, and instead usher in an era where all party members can fully participate in nominating party candidates through a rights-holder member open nomination system."

He said, "Any candidate who passes the preliminary candidate screening will be allowed to participate in the primary, so there will be no candidates shedding tears over unfair cutoffs." Leader Jeong further explained, "If there are many candidates who pass the preliminary screening, we will conduct a first-round preliminary primary with 100% participation from rights-holder members in groups, and the second-round final will be held with 50% rights-holder member votes and 50% general public votes. Candidates who receive more than 50% of the votes will be nominated through a runoff system to ensure strong candidates. We will also introduce 100% rights-holder member voting for metropolitan, proportional, and basic candidates."

In conclusion, Leader Jeong said, "A historic vote will be held over two days, November 19 and 20, to ask party members about ushering in the era of party member sovereignty." He explained, "The agenda items are: first, 'Do you agree with the one-member, one-vote system?'; second, 'Do you agree with 100% rights-holder member voting in the first-round preliminary primary?'; and third, 'Do you agree with 100% rights-holder member voting in the selection of metropolitan, proportional, and basic candidates?'" He stressed, "I urge all party members to actively participate in this historic vote."