'Jeong Cheongrae's "One Person, One Vote" Proposal Rejected by Democratic Party Central Committee for Failing Majority Threshold'

Although 72% Supported, Fell Short of Majority of All Members
Proposal for 100% Dues-Paying Party Member Selection of Basic and Metropolitan Proportional Representatives Also Rejected

The proposed amendment to the party constitution and regulations, which Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, had pushed to implement a "one person, one vote" system with equal weighting (1:1) for delegates and dues-paying party members, has failed to pass.

Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the 3rd Central Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on December 5, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

At the Democratic Party Central Committee meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido on December 5, the amendment to the party constitution and regulations, which would have set the voting ratio between delegates and dues-paying party members at 1:1 for the election of the party leader and Supreme Council members, was voted down as it did not surpass the majority threshold of all committee members required for approval.

Of the 596 Central Committee members, 373 (62.58%) participated in the vote, with 72.65% (271 members) in favor and 27.35% (102 members) opposed. Although the majority of those who voted supported the amendment, the percentage in favor relative to the total membership was only 45.46%, falling short of the majority required for passage.

A separate amendment to the party constitution and regulations, which would have changed the method for selecting basic and metropolitan proportional representatives in the June 3 local elections next year to 100% dues-paying party member voting, was also rejected for the same reason. This proposal also included provisions to adjust the additional representation ratios for youth and people with disabilities.

For this proposal as well, 373 out of 596 members participated in the vote, with 79.62% (297 members) in favor and 20.38% (76 members) opposed. However, the percentage in favor relative to the total membership was 49.83%, still not enough to reach a majority.

Cho Seungrae, Secretary-General of the Democratic Party, explained, "The Central Committee’s approval standard is a majority of all members, so although over 70% of those who participated in the vote were in favor, it did not pass because it failed to secure a majority of the total membership." He added, "The leadership must respect the decision of the Central Committee members, but the march to strengthen party member sovereignty will continue."

He continued, "We made efforts to address and adjust various concerns and even proposed a revised version, so it is regrettable that the proposal was rejected. We will carefully review the will of the Central Committee and take follow-up measures," adding, "Since the rules for the local election candidate selection were also voted down, we have no choice but to proceed with related follow-up discussions."