Jeong Cheongrae: "One-Person-One-Vote System to Be Reintroduced After Supreme Council By-Election"

Jeong Cheongrae: "We Will Usher in an Era of Party Member Sovereignty"

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, has announced his intention to push forward once again with the "one vote per delegate and rights party member" system, which was recently derailed.

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of December 19, Jeong stated, "Immediately after the by-election for the Supreme Council member (scheduled for January 11 next year), I will once again ask all party members for their opinions and work to reintroduce the one-person-one-vote system."

The revision of the party constitution and rules to implement the "one vote per delegate and rights party member" system was one of Jeong's campaign pledges when he ran for party leader at the party convention in August. The proposal was brought to the Central Committee as an agenda item on December 5, but it was rejected after failing to secure a majority of the total members.

Jeong also mentioned, "At the Party Affairs Committee meeting held yesterday, the nomination rules for the June 3 local elections next year, along with more detailed party regulations, were approved," adding, "The most significant feature of these new nomination rules is that the nomination rights are being returned to the rights party members. Through a revolution in nominations, we will achieve a revolution in elections."

He continued, "In the first preliminary primary, 100% of the voting rights will be exercised by rights party members," emphasizing, "We will fully usher in an era of party member sovereignty that is in line with the era of national sovereignty."

He further stated, "The nomination rules for the local elections significantly expand the rights of rights party members, clearly declaring that the party belongs to its members. However, the one-person-one-vote system was scrapped due to insufficient votes. Now that the by-election for the Supreme Council member has once again opened up a forum for public discussion, I hope to see active debate on the one-person-one-vote system."

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is giving a greeting speech at the pledge ceremony for fair elections held at the National Assembly on the 19th. 2025.12.19 Photo by Kim Hyunmin