Democratic Party Central Committee Convenes on December 15
Re-vote on Amendments to Local Election Nomination Rules
Jeong Cheongrae: "Approval Needed to Begin Election Preparations"
The Democratic Party of Korea will hold a re-vote at the Central Committee on the proposed amendments to the party constitution and regulations to change the nomination rules for next June's local elections. As the previous vote failed due to low turnout, the voting period has been extended by three hours this time.
Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the 4th Central Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on December 15, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
On the morning of December 15, the Democratic Party convened the Central Committee to hold a re-vote on the proposed amendments to the party constitution and regulations. The amendments stipulate that, for the selection of proportional representation candidates for basic councilors, the vote will be weighted 50% by dues-paying party members and 50% by executive committee members (decision-making bodies of city and provincial parties). For metropolitan council proportional candidates, the vote will be weighted 100% by dues-paying party members. The results are expected to be announced after the voting closes at 6 p.m.
Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated, "Although the amendment received an 80% approval rate last time (on the 5th), it did not pass due to insufficient votes," and added, "This proposal must be approved for us to begin nomination work related to the local elections. It is truly regrettable that this has been delayed." He emphasized, "I urge all Central Committee members to participate in the vote without exception today, so that we can lay the foundation for the Democratic Party's victory in next year's local elections."
Previously, on December 5, the Democratic Party held a Central Committee vote on an amendment that would have required 100% of proportional representation candidates for both metropolitan and basic councilors to be selected by dues-paying party members. However, the amendment was rejected because the number of votes did not exceed half of the total committee members, which was required for approval. As a result, the voting deadline for this vote has been extended from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., an additional three hours.
The Central Committee will also address a proposal to change the method for electing new Supreme Council members in a by-election. Due to the candidacies of current Supreme Council members Hyunhee Jeon, Kim Byungjoo, and Han Junho in the local elections, a by-election will be held to elect three new Supreme Council members. The by-election is scheduled for January 11 next year and will reflect a 50% vote from Central Committee members and a 50% vote from dues-paying party members.
If there are five or more candidates, a preliminary primary will be held. The vote percentages and rankings of the candidates in the preliminary primary will not be disclosed, and voters will use a multiple-vote system, selecting two candidates in a single vote. The main primary will also use a multiple-vote system, but in this case, the vote percentages and rankings will be made public. Lawmakers Lee Sungyun, Moon Jeongbok, Kang Deukgu, Lee Geontae, and Yoo Dongcheol, head of the Busan Suyeong District (co-chair of the Democratic Party National Innovation Council), have expressed their intention to run in the Supreme Council by-election.
Meanwhile, discussions on the amendment to the party constitution to introduce a "one person, one vote" system for dues-paying party members-a campaign pledge by leader Jeong Cheongrae-are expected to be revisited after further modifications and improvements.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
