"Politics is Reality" "Centrist Voters Will Turn Away" Party Members in Heated Debate Over Proportional Alliance Support

On the 12th, when the Democratic Party's proportional alliance member vote is held, the party bulletin board shows a split opinion
Final decision on participation to be made on the morning of the 13th

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 11th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Wondara Won, Midam Heo] "Politics is reality" "Is there any guarantee that minor parties will become our allies?"

From the early morning of the 12th, when the Democratic Party of Korea began a party member vote on whether to participate in the proportional representation coalition party, the party member bulletin board has been sharply divided between supporters and opponents. The Democratic Party plans to conduct a 24-hour vote starting at 6 a.m. on the 12th asking members whether to join the proportional coalition party, and announce the final decision on the morning of the 13th.

One party member who expressed support said, "The justification and ideals are good, but politics is reality," adding, "There is a very high possibility that conservative parties will exceed the majority, and if that happens, the 21st National Assembly will be paralyzed." Another member said, "We must win the general election first," and "Additional amendments to the election law to block the Future United Party's tricks will only be possible after we become the first party." Another member emphasized, "Although the Democratic Party said it would allocate 7 seats as lower priority, there could be changes during future negotiations," and urged, "We must support this."

Opposing members commonly argued that there is no guarantee that other parties participating in the proportional coalition will side with the Democratic Party. One member criticized, "During the previous administration, progressive parties only held us back," and questioned, "Why should we give our votes to other parties?" Another member said, "If parties with different colors like the Justice Party and the Green Party participate, it is no different from not joining the coalition party." Many members also argued that an independent proportional Democratic Party should be established. One member who said they "initially opposed" stated, "This vote only asks whether to participate in the proportional coalition party or not, which is like asking to vote with a predetermined answer," and insisted, "We must establish an independent proportional Democratic Party to empower the Democratic Party."

There were also concerns that participation in the proportional coalition party could lead to defeat in constituency elections. One member said, "If we join the proportional coalition party, moderate voters in the metropolitan area and Yeongnam swing regions will turn away," and added, "We need to decide whether to choose the 253 constituency seats or the 7 proportional seats."

Among Democratic Party lawmakers, support appears to outweigh opposition. At the party meeting held on the 10th, lawmakers who spoke publicly in favor outnumbered those against by about 5 to 1. On that day, lawmakers Ahn Gyu-baek, Song Young-gil, Lee Seok-hyun, Kwon Chil-seung, Woo Won-shik, Shin Dong-geun, Hong Young-pyo, and Won Hye-young argued for participation in the proportional coalition party. In contrast, lawmakers Seol Hoon, Kim Hae-young, Park Yong-jin, and Cho Eung-cheon expressed opposition.

Lawmaker Hong Young-pyo wrote on his Facebook before the vote started, "As someone who led election reform as floor leader last year, it is very regrettable to see the spirit and principles of reform being ruthlessly violated," and insisted, "We must definitely stop the shameless illegal acts of the Future United Party." Lawmaker Kim Hae-young pointed out at the previous day’s Supreme Council meeting, "There seems to be no justification for the Democratic Party’s participation in the election coalition party," and warned, "If we abandon principles because the situation is difficult, it will cause irreparable damage."

Park Chan-dae, the Democratic Party floor spokesperson, said in a briefing after the policy coordination meeting at the National Assembly that morning, "Votes will be counted by 6 a.m. tomorrow, and it will probably be mentioned at the Supreme Council meeting tomorrow," adding, "I expect the results to be announced tomorrow morning."

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