Son Hak-kyu: "The Third Zone Has Not Disappeared... Let's Start Anew"

Regarding the 21st General Election Results: "All Our Fault"
"Trust the Spring of Moderate Reform and Protect the Third Zone"
Proposal to Supplement the Mixed-Member Proportional Representation and Constitutional Amendment

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Sohn Hak-kyu, Standing Election Committee Chairman of the Minsaeng Party, stated on the 16th regarding the results of the 21st general election, “The third zone failed to meet the expectations of the people,” adding, “I believe the public’s criticism is a whip urging the third zone to properly fulfill its role, and we will humbly accept the election results.”

At a press conference held at the National Assembly that day, Chairman Sohn said, “It is entirely our fault,” and explained, “The division, defections, internal strife, and each person fending for themselves made the unstable Minsaeng Party unable to earn votes.”

He said, “The third zone has not disappeared because of this election. We still have work to do,” and added, “We must no longer leave politics as a battleground for the two major parties, but lead institutional reforms toward consensual democracy through negotiation and compromise among parties. The third party must take the lead in compromise and mediation. We must unite the people’s power. Let’s start anew now.”

He continued, “We must protect the third zone with the belief that the spring of centrist reform will surely come again,” and added, “To let the spring buds bloom again, we should take this time to reflect on ourselves and use it as an opportunity to strengthen our capabilities.”

Chairman Sohn emphasized, “Going forward, the mixed-member proportional representation system should be supplemented through election law revision,” and said, “Parties that do not field a certain number of district candidates should not be allowed to nominate proportional candidates. The number of proportional seats should be increased to preserve the purpose of the mixed-member system.”

He also stated, “We have a winner-takes-all presidential system where the two major parties are only focused on power struggles. We need to change the power structure through constitutional amendment,” and added, “The National Assembly should stand at the center of politics, leading the government through agreements reached by negotiation, discussion, and compromise among parties. This is what I call the 7th Republic.”

Regarding his role in rebuilding the third zone, Chairman Sohn said, “As long as I still have health and a fresh, vigorous spirit, I can do many things through a popular movement.”

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