DP Leadership's 'One-Member, One-Vote' Conflict Surfaces... Pro-Lee vs. Pro-Jeong Clash in Public Meeting

Sharp Exchanges at Supreme Council Meeting on the 19th
Pro-Lee: "Should Take Effect After the Next Party Convention"
Pro-Jeong: "Introducing Other Proposals Is Undesirable"

The leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea was sharply divided over the one-member, one-vote system, with a clear confrontation between the pro-Lee Jaemyung (pro-Lee) and pro-Jeong Cheongrae (pro-Jeong) factions.

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on January 16, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

At the Supreme Council meeting of the Democratic Party held at the National Assembly in Yeouido on January 19, pro-Lee Supreme Council members Lee Eonju and Hwang Myungseon, and pro-Jeong Supreme Council members Moon Jeongbok and Lee Seongyun exchanged sharp remarks toward each other in their public statements.

Supreme Council member Hwang, who first raised the issue of the one-member, one-vote system, said, "I also support the introduction of the one-member, one-vote system and will take the lead in expanding party member sovereignty." However, he added, "Just as the wise scholars of the past avoided adjusting their hat strings under a plum tree to prevent misunderstandings, we need a mechanism to reduce potential misunderstandings." He emphasized, "The one-member, one-vote system must be implemented as promised by most of the leadership, but we must not take lightly the significance of its previous rejection. If those who revised the election rules are immediately elected under those same rules, it will inevitably draw criticism as a self-serving revision."

He continued, "No matter how right the content may be, if there are problems in the process, legitimacy and trust will be undermined. The solution is clear: introduce the one-member, one-vote system, but amend the party constitution and regulations so that it takes effect after the next party convention." He added, "We must ask party members about the timing and procedures for implementation, and the party must publicly clarify the conclusion. We also need to specifically prepare measures regarding the equal value of votes in strategic regions and ways to strengthen party member sovereignty."

Pro-Jeong Supreme Council member Lee Seongyun countered, "All candidates in the Supreme Council by-election supported the one-member, one-vote system, and it has been sufficiently discussed as the biggest concern among party members since the party leader election in August last year." He continued, "President Kim Daejung also advocated for direct presidential elections during the June 1987 democratic uprising, and some criticized this as a political move for his own advantage. However, the direct presidential election was achieved by the people. It was the natural path for Korea's democracy, not an issue of individual gain or loss."

Yonhap News Agency

Supreme Council member Moon Jeongbok also criticized the pro-Lee faction's conditional approach to the one-member, one-vote system, stating, "When I took debate classes, I learned that using the word 'however' in the middle of a premise or content undermines the main argument. That's why I never use 'however' after making my point in debates." She added, "After this session, the Party Affairs Committee will convene, and the process of gathering public opinion will begin immediately. It is absolutely undesirable to introduce other proposals during this process. Saying it should apply from the next leadership is simply creating another frame and another problem."

Supreme Council member Lee Eonju confronted Chief Spokesperson Park Suhyeon's remarks about 'misconduct' the previous day. Lee said, "To label these (one-member, one-vote) discussions as misconduct and to silence debate is a betrayal of the spirit of democracy. I do not believe this reflects the intention of our party leader. I hope our party officials will be careful not to cause unnecessary misunderstandings."

The previous day, Chief Spokesperson Park had commented on the opposition of some leadership members during the closed Supreme Council meeting regarding the renewed push for the one-member, one-vote system, saying, "This controversy is generating articles that resemble a power struggle within the party every day. If this continues, there may come a time when it can no longer be defended against criticism as misconduct."

Kang Deukgu, a pro-Lee Supreme Council member, also told reporters after the meeting, "Can you call it misconduct when an elected official expresses their opinion? If Chief Spokesperson Park does not apologize, I will state my position on this matter at the public Supreme Council meeting on Wednesday (January 21)."