Alternatives and Peace Faction Approve Participation in Proportional Alliance Party... Bareunmirae Faction 'Strongly Opposes'

Controversy Over Interpretation of Party Constitution and Rules and Authority to Preside Over Meetings

Park Juhyun, co-representative of the Minsaengdang Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 18th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dongju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the 18th, the Alternative New Party and Democratic Peace Party factions within the Minsheng Party decided to participate in the proportional representation coalition party promoted by the Democratic Party of Korea. Based on discussions at the previous day’s members’ meeting, they insisted on adopting the party’s official stance at the Supreme Council meeting. However, Kim Jeong-hwa, co-chair of the Bareunmirae Party faction, rejected this. In response, Park Joo-hyun, co-chair from the Democratic Peace Party faction, held an emergency Supreme Council meeting and passed the agenda excluding the Bareunmirae Party faction. Controversies continue within the party regarding interpretations of the party constitution and regulations, as well as the authority to preside over meetings.

At the Supreme Council meeting that day, Co-chair Kim criticized, "Whether to participate in the proportional representation coalition party is a matter related to the party’s direction, not a major policy or bill," and urged, "The new floor leadership should comply with the party constitution." He added, "Are you trying to sell the party to the pro-Moon Jae-in faction?" and said, "Those who underestimate the people and try to drive the party to the brink of illegality should now decisively leave the Minsheng Party." Supreme Council member Lee In-hee also said, "It is a serious self-contradiction and a definitive case of self-defeat for the Minsheng Party, which even filed a complaint that founding a proportional party itself violates the Political Parties Act, to ride on the proportional coalition party. It is shameful before the people to the extent that they should file their own complaint with the prosecution." He added, "Park Ji-won should stop the political maneuver of selling the party wholesale to the Democratic Party even at the cost of dividing the party and retire from politics."

According to Article 53 of the party constitution and regulations, the functions and authority of the members’ meeting are defined as adopting and changing the party’s official stance on major policies and bills. Even if participation in the proportional coalition party is considered a major policy, there is a procedural defect in the resolution at the previous day’s members’ meeting. Article 57 of the party constitution and regulations stipulates that the adoption and change of the party’s official stance on major policies and bills must be resolved with the approval of two-thirds or more of the total members. Currently, the Minsheng Party has 25 members, so 17 approvals are required to adopt the party’s official stance by two-thirds. The Alternative New Party and Democratic Peace Party factions resolved the matter at the previous day’s members’ meeting with a majority of members present and a majority approval of those present. They argue that this was a legitimate procedure as the request to decide the party’s official stance at the Supreme Council was resolved at the members’ meeting.

The Alternative New Party and Democratic Peace Party factions immediately responded. Jang Jeong-sook, floor leader from the Alternative New Party, said, "We must absolutely prevent the unfortunate situation where conservative forces rise to first place by distorting public opinion," and added, "This is a serious situation that cannot help but consider emergency measures. From this perspective, the issue of the proportional coalition party within the progressive camp must be seriously reconsidered." Co-chair Park said, "Our party now stands at a crossroads where it must make the final choice to realize the purpose of electoral reform. It is regrettable that democracy and the spirit of unity within the party have disappeared," and added, "The current situation must be overcome by forming an emergency response committee."

On the 17th, the Minsheng Party convened members’ meetings twice, at 2 p.m. and around 9 p.m., to discuss participation in the proportional coalition party. The first meeting was not established due to lack of quorum, and 13 out of 25 members attended the second meeting. Led by the Alternative New Party and Democratic Peace Party factions, the members agreed to participate in the proportional coalition party at this meeting.

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