[First-term Survey] 1 in 3 Says, "I'm Neither Conservative nor Progressive"... United Party Also Respects Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun

Among three first-term lawmakers, one says "I do not want to define my political orientation by a specific ideology"
First-term members of the United Future Party also named respected politicians: Kim Dae-jung 15.6%, Roh Moo-hyun 8.9%
On specific issues, the biggest challenge for the Democratic Party is "resolving polarization," while for the United Future Party it is "economic development"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Although the 21st general election results have been evaluated as a return to a two-party system, it has been found that first-term lawmakers, who make up half of the 21st National Assembly, do not want to define themselves as either progressive or conservative. Compared to previous assemblies, the 'ideological color' has faded. They unanimously pointed out that the most important change from previous assemblies should be a working National Assembly and that unnecessary privileges for lawmakers should disappear.

However, differences in views remained in detailed issues. First-term lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) perceive resolving polarization as a more important task than economic development, whereas first-term lawmakers from the United Future Party (UFP) prioritize economic development. Additionally, the UFP, where internal reform discussions continue, has attracted attention by emphasizing refusal of unreasonable party lines and conscientious voting. This appears to be influenced by the 'Geum Tae-seop controversy' in the DPK, where breaking party lines led to disciplinary action.

◆ One in three first-term lawmakers say "I am neither progressive nor conservative" = According to a survey conducted by Asia Economy on the 16th in celebration of its 32nd anniversary targeting first-term lawmakers, 27.4% of respondents said they do not want to be defined by a specific ideological tendency.

Although the two-party system was effectively strengthened in the 21st general election, one in three first-term lawmakers responded that they cannot categorize their political orientation as 'progressive' or 'conservative.' This aligns with the trend of 'pragmatic politics' that has emerged as a key issue in the political sphere following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among first-term lawmakers in the DPK, only half (52%) identified themselves as progressive. The proportion who did not want to be defined by a specific tendency was 33.3%. Additionally, 11.9% identified as centrist, and only 2% as conservative.

In the conservative UFP, about half (52%) identified themselves as conservative. However, 20.5% did not want to be defined by a specific ideological tendency, and 27.3% identified as centrist. The combined proportion identifying as centrist or pragmatic exceeds 47%. There is already growing interest in what voices first-term lawmakers will raise within the UFP going forward.

However, unlike the DPK, no respondents in the UFP identified themselves as progressive. All respondents from the Justice Party and Open Democratic Party identified themselves as progressive.

This political orientation was also reflected in the 'politicians I respect and want to emulate' (multiple responses allowed) category. Even within the conservative UFP, 24.5% of first-term lawmakers named former Presidents Kim Dae-jung (15.6%) and Roh Moo-hyun (8.9%) as politicians they respect and want to emulate, drawing attention. Considering the party's identity, 53.3% named former President Park Chung-hee. Other responses included former President Kim Young-sam (13.3%), former Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil (11.1%), and former Prime Minister Lee Hoi-chang (4.4%). However, no one named President Moon Jae-in.

In the DPK, the highest proportion (85.7%) named former President Roh as a respected politician. Former President Kim Dae-jung (78.6%) and President Moon (74%) followed. Then came Kim Geun-tae, former chairman of the Youth Federation for Democratic Movement (26.2%), and former Justice Party leader Roh Hoe-chan (0.95%).

In the 'biggest task of this era' category, which corresponds to detailed issues following ideology, clear differences emerged. The DPK responded that resolving polarization (73%), inter-Korean reconciliation and joint prosperity (64%), economic development (40.5%), and sustainability issues such as climate change response (21.7%) are important tasks of the era. In contrast, the UFP prioritized economic development (78.5%), resolving polarization (66%), sustainability including climate change response (23%), and inter-Korean reconciliation and joint prosperity (11.9%). There were significant differences in priority among polarization, economic growth, and inter-Korean issues.

◆ Consensus on "21st National Assembly should be a working assembly" = First-term lawmakers agreed that the 21st National Assembly should be a 'working assembly.' Among first-term lawmakers of the 21st National Assembly, 84.8% cited 'policy confrontation or fulfilling the legislative body's original mission' as the most important change needed. Many also responded with 'avoiding wasteful political strife (60%)' and 'enhancing expertise (31%).' Overall, there was a consensus that the assembly should be a working one. Responses also included 'discarding a sense of authority and privilege (35%),' 'strengthening integrity and morality (19%),' and 'dismantling factional politics (13%).'

By party, 92% of first-term DPK lawmakers responded that the assembly should focus on policy confrontation or fulfilling the legislative body's original duties. This was followed by avoiding wasteful political strife (66%), discarding a sense of authority and privilege (36%), enhancing expertise (19%), and strengthening integrity and morality (14%). First-term UFP lawmakers also saw the need for fulfilling the legislative body's original mission (77%), which had a high response rate even in the DPK, and showed high responses for avoiding wasteful political strife (53%) and enhancing expertise (17%).

However, a difference was that 37% of UFP first-term lawmakers responded that 'refusal of unreasonable party lines and conscientious voting' is necessary. Only 2.3% of DPK first-term lawmakers responded that this is necessary. This reflects the internal conflict in the DPK related to the Geum Tae-seop controversy, where dissenting from party lines led to disciplinary action, and the UFP's criticism of that situation.

First-term lawmakers of the 21st National Assembly also agreed that unnecessary privileges for lawmakers should be abolished. Among all first-term lawmakers, 41.5% said that privileges such as using airport VIP lounges and reception at overseas diplomatic missions are unnecessary. Additionally, 26% responded that 'payment of wages regardless of attendance or bill sponsorship performance' is an unnecessary privilege. Responses also indicated that privileges such as immunity and non-arrest privileges (15.3%) and special activity expenses paid outside of salary (12.8%) should disappear.

Regarding the size of aides and salaries, many responded that the current level should be maintained. Among all first-term lawmakers, 78% said in response to the question 'Do you think the current salary is appropriate?' that it should be maintained at the current level for active legislative activities. Only 16.3% said it is excessive and should be lowered. Regarding the number of aides allowed per lawmaker, up to nine, 85% responded that the current level should be maintained for active legislative activities. Responses saying 'it should be increased' were 9.8%, and 'it is excessive and should be reduced' were 4.35%.

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