Democratic Party Primary Delay Faction's 'Party Affairs Committee Petition'... "Requirements Already Met"

Representative Song Young-gil Weighs in '180 Days Ago'

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 23rd and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] It has been reported that those within the Democratic Party of Korea advocating for a postponement of the presidential primary have circulated a petition to convene the Party Affairs Committee, thereby already meeting the necessary requirements. The Party Affairs Committee is the body authorized by the party constitution and regulations to decide the primary schedule. As it is anticipated that Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil will adhere to the schedule of '180 days before the presidential election,' the internal movement to rally support for postponement is gaining momentum. A hardline stance has also been expressed, stating that if Leader Song makes a decision by his own authority, it would constitute an abuse of power and he would no longer be able to fulfill his role as party leader.

On the 24th, a key lawmaker affiliated with the Lee Nak-yeon faction told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "I understand that Party Affairs Committee members who believe the primary should be postponed have circulated a request to convene the committee and have already met the requirements," adding, "Whether to submit the request will be decided based on the situation."

According to the Democratic Party constitution, the Party Affairs Committee is convened by the chairperson (party leader) when the chairperson or the Supreme Council deems it necessary or when at least one-third of the total members request it. If the party leader refuses to convene, the floor leader or the elected Supreme Council members with the highest vote counts can convene the committee.

The Party Affairs Committee consists of Supreme Council members, city and provincial party chairpersons, and governors affiliated with the party, totaling 78 members currently. At least one-third of these members are reportedly demanding a postponement of the primary. This aligns with the earlier movement where 66 Democratic Party lawmakers called for a postponement and demanded a general assembly of lawmakers.

Leader Song maintains that there is no "substantial reason" to change the regulation of '180 days before the presidential election' and plans to hold a Supreme Council meeting on the 25th to decide based on the election schedule proposed by the Presidential Primary Planning Group. He emphasizes that this is within the authority of the party leader.

However, lawmakers from the Lee Nak-yeon and Chung Sye-kyun factions, who support postponement, argue that the Party Affairs Committee holds the authority, not the party leader, and view Leader Song's actions as a form of overreach. One lawmaker said, "Whether the primary is held 180 days before or postponed, the primary date should be decided by the Party Affairs Committee," adding, "It is problematic if the party leader is unaware of this fact or insists without verification. The party leader's role is to mediate and coordinate, not to decide the primary schedule."

The Democratic Party's special regulations for selecting presidential candidates state that the election date is to be determined "through deliberation by the Election Commission and resolution by the Party Affairs Committee."

On the other hand, those advocating for the '180 days before the presidential election' schedule have a different perspective, which could intensify disputes over the interpretation of the party constitution and regulations. Democratic Party Supreme Council member Baek Hye-ryun appeared on YTN Radio that day and said, "From a legal interpretation standpoint, the primary must be held 180 days before the election; this is stipulated in the party constitution and is a mandatory rule," adding, "To postpone, the party constitution must be amended, and the Party Affairs Committee's resolution is only possible when there is a 'substantial reason.' The Supreme Council is the body that determines whether there is a 'substantial reason,' so if the Supreme Council does not submit the agenda, it is difficult to convene the Party Affairs Committee."

If the Supreme Council decides on the 25th, even if the Party Affairs Committee is convened, there may be no need to discuss the primary schedule further. However, if this scenario materializes, the party could face severe division. A lawmaker advocating for postponement said, "If the party leader ignores the party constitution and regulations and makes a unilateral decision, it would be an abuse of power, and party members will not tolerate it. He will no longer be able to serve as party leader."

Hong Young-pyo, a lawmaker who competed against Leader Song in the party convention, said on KBS Radio that day, "If the party makes a decision through proper procedures, it should be followed," and pointed out, "The issue is leadership?whether either side can accept the outcome gracefully."

Since the scheduled preliminary candidate registration has already been delayed, if the Primary Planning Group proposes a schedule considering the physical time needed for public participation and other factors, there is also speculation that Leader Song and the Supreme Council members might present a compromise plan to postpone the primary by about a month.

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