Democratic Party Members Protest Against 'One Person, One Vote' System, Demand Resignation of Jung Chungrae

The Democratic Party of Korea is set to finalize amendments to its party constitution and regulations on December 5 to implement the so-called "one person, one vote" system. Meanwhile, some party members held a protest, demanding the resignation of Representative Jung Chungrae.

According to the organizers, about 300 party members gathered in front of the National Assembly in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on November 29, claiming that the amendment to the party constitution and regulations to equalize the voting power of delegates and dues-paying members is being pushed through hastily.

One attendee stated, "We are here because we can no longer tolerate the opaque and unlawful actions of Representative Jung Chungrae," adding, "Instead of ending internal strife as he should, his real goal is to secure party leadership for next year's general election by seeking re-election."

Another participant remarked, "We are not against the one person, one vote system itself. We are saying it should be implemented when proper preparations are in place," and argued, "Rushing this through will only open the front door to Shincheonji, the back door to the Unification Church, and allow disruptive online commenters from Ddanzi to manipulate the election as they please."

Representative Jung is pushing for the introduction of the one person, one vote system with the aim of ushering in an era of party member sovereignty.

There are concerns that if the amendment effectively abolishes the delegate system, it will strengthen the influence of the party's strongholds in Honam and its hardline supporters, while underrepresenting vulnerable regions such as Yeongnam. Criticism has also emerged that Representative Jung is changing the rules in his favor ahead of the party convention in August next year. In response to criticism from even pro-Lee Jae-myung factions, the Democratic Party postponed the vote on the constitutional amendment by one week and began working on supplementary measures.