Korean Party Steps Up to Defend 'Biryeyajayu Hangukdang'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] With the introduction of the semi-proportional representation system in the April 15 general election, the importance of proportional parties is increasing, and the Liberty Korea Party has taken steps to protect its satellite party, 'Proportional Liberty Korea Party.'

On the 10th, Liberty Korea Party lawmakers Lee Chae-ik, Ahn Sang-soo, and Kim Young-woo visited the Gwacheon Central Election Commission to protest against the prohibition of using the term 'proportional' in party names during the general election.

Earlier, in response to the semi-proportional representation system introduced ahead of the general election, the Liberty Korea Party registered a satellite party under the name Proportional Liberty Korea Party with the Election Commission. The preparatory committee stated in its founding purpose document, "Despite many toxic provisions in the mixed-member proportional system, it was hastily passed through a collusive rush," and added, "We will confront this rushed passage with fair and lawful resistance to achieve victory."

However, after some media reports emerged that the Election Commission was considering banning the use of 'proportional' in party names, they requested permission to use the term. The Election Commission is scheduled to discuss the use of the term 'proportional' on the 13th.

The preparatory committee also actively clarified the controversy surrounding the 'ghost office' allegations related to the Proportional Liberty Korea Party. In an unusual move, the committee issued a press release stating, "The office address is different from that of the Liberty Korea Party," responding to media reports pointing out that the addresses of the Liberty Korea Party and the Proportional Liberty Korea Party were the same.

The committee explained, "The party registration is based on the location, not the address, and this is the same for other parties' registration locations. The Proportional Liberty Korea Party had to rent a place somewhere, and after considering various conditions, it signed a lease for an office within the Liberty Korea Party headquarters," adding, "While the location may be the same, the detailed addresses differ, and they are clearly using separate office spaces."

Regarding the criticism that calls to the Proportional Liberty Korea Party are answered by the Liberty Korea Party, they stated, "The representative number of the Proportional Liberty Korea Party registered with the Election Commission is 02-6288-0300, and the Liberty Korea Party's representative number is 02-6288-0200," noting, "Some media and citizens have mistakenly called the Liberty Korea Party when trying to reach the Proportional Liberty Korea Party."

Concerning the collection of 100,000 won in founding fees from party officials who signed the founding members' consent forms ahead of the party's establishment, the committee explained, "The founding members were voluntarily composed of Liberty Korea Party staff as part of a lawful resistance against the rushed and collusive election law," and added, "The founding preparation costs are covered by the members' fees, and the payment notification messages are for guidance purposes only, with no coercion involved." They further stated, "The preparatory committee will proceed with the party establishment through proper procedures and will respond sincerely to misunderstandings and strictly to excessive distortions," expressing their intention to actively address controversies surrounding the Proportional Liberty Korea Party.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.