Hong Kong Opposition Disappears... Half of District Councilors Resign Over China's Loyalty Oath Enforcement

Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of Hong Kong
Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Amid the difficulties faced by Hong Kong's pro-democracy camp in entering politics due to the overhaul of the Hong Kong electoral system, a large number of pro-democracy district councilors have resigned.

This move is seen as an effort to avoid disadvantages related to the oath of allegiance, raising concerns that the democratic camp in the district councils may be virtually wiped out.

According to Hong Kong media on the 14th, at least 192 pro-democracy district councilors in Hong Kong have resigned so far, including 16 who resigned in a single day on the 12th.

Additionally, with cases of detainment added to voluntary resignations, at least 236 district council seats are currently vacant.

As a result, the chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of 15 out of the 18 district councils have become vacant.

Lo Kin-hei, chairman of the Democratic Party, Hong Kong's largest opposition party, who has served as a district councilor since 2012, also announced his resignation.

Previously, the pro-democracy camp achieved a landslide victory in the November 2019 district council elections, winning 392 out of 452 seats.

Following the anti-government protests that swept Hong Kong that year, their overwhelming victory in the district council elections alarmed both the Hong Kong and Chinese governments.

However, about half of the pro-democracy councilors have voluntarily resigned just a year and a half later.

Analysts suggest this was influenced by the Hong Kong government's announcement that many pro-democracy councilors would be disqualified under the oath of allegiance to be implemented within this month.

The oath of allegiance consists of pledges to uphold the Basic Law, Hong Kong's mini-constitution, loyalty to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and commitment to fulfilling responsibilities and duties to the Hong Kong government.

In May, the Hong Kong government amended related laws to expand the scope of the oath of allegiance, which had been limited to senior executive officials and Legislative Council (Hong Kong's parliament) members, to include district councilors and civil servants.

Furthermore, anyone who violates the oath will be disqualified and barred from running for public office for the next five years.

The Hong Kong authorities stated that a councilor's past actions would also be considered when assessing the sincerity of the oath.

Earlier, Hong Kong media predicted that at least 150 to 170 district councilors would lose their qualifications once the oath was enforced.

Regarding the mass resignation of district councilors, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on a radio broadcast on the 12th, "The district councils have become extremely politicized," and added, "Those councilors who voluntarily resign are aware that their actions violate regulations, hence their resignation."

However, the government has no plans to hold by-elections and intends to replace district administration through district operation committees, which are mostly controlled by pro-Beijing factions.

Additionally, rumors have surfaced that disqualified district councilors will have to return all their previous activity allowances.

Chairman Lo Kin-hei, upon announcing his resignation, urged the authorities to clarify their stance on these rumors.

If the rumors are true, disqualified councilors would have to repay approximately 1 million Hong Kong dollars (about 148 million Korean won) for roughly one and a half years of their term.

The Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported, "According to experts, there is little legal basis for requiring disqualified councilors to return their activity allowances," but added, "However, this measure is currently effective in prompting resignations among pro-democracy district councilors."

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