20 Democratic Party Members: "Only the President? We Need to Change the Engine... Debate Political Reform and Basic Income"

The Democratic Party presidential primary candidates attended a YTN-hosted TV debate held on the 4th at the YTN Media Center in Mapo-gu, Seoul, and had a photo session. Candidates Jeong Se-gyun (from left), Lee Nak-yeon, Chu Mi-ae, Kim Du-kwan, Lee Jae-myung, and Park Yong-jin.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Twenty lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea have proposed a full-scale debate on political reform and basic income during the presidential primary.

The lawmakers include Kang Deuk-gu, Kim Kyung-hyup, Kim Min-cheol, Kim Seung-nam, Kim Jong-min, Do Jong-hwan, Maeng Sung-kyu, So Byung-chul, Song Ki-heon, Shin Dong-geun, Shin Jeong-hoon, Oh Ki-hyung, Yoon Joon-byung, Lee Yong-seon, Lim Ho-seon, Jang Cheol-min, Jeong Jeong-sun, Choi Jong-yoon, Hong Ki-won, and Hong Young-pyo. Lawmaker Kang Seon-woo also participated but withdrew, stating that as a member of the Democratic Party’s Election Commission, she must fulfill her neutrality obligation and prevent unnecessary misunderstandings.

In a statement on the 16th, they said, "We appeal to the Democratic Party candidates. Let us not fight over the past but compete over future visions. Lawmakers should actively participate in productive policy debates regardless of their support for candidates."

Regarding political reform, they pointed out, "We cannot move forward with the current elite politics, wasteful adversarial politics, and issue-centered politics," emphasizing, "It is not enough to just change the president. We must change politics. Instead of changing only the driver every five years, we must change the engine of the car called the Republic of Korea."

They added, "The president, the National Assembly, and the judiciary must all be further reformed from elite power to the power of the people, democratic power. We must move from a secretariat government to a cabinet government. Elite powers such as the Ministry of Economy and Finance, prosecution, and courts must be relinquished. More concrete prosecution reform measures must be presented."

They also stated, "Through constitutional reform, electoral system reform, and National Assembly law reform, we must move toward politics capable of preparing for the future 10 or 30 years from now."

Regarding basic income, they expressed concern, saying, "Although there has been a long debate, it is a system that no country has adopted due to problems. Many lawmakers within the Democratic Party oppose it. There has been no proper research or discussion at the party or national level. While it can be considered a long-term research task, moving immediately to national policy is risky."

They emphasized, "Regarding political reform and basic income, we must engage in fierce debates at the level of conclusive discussions, not just simple Q&A."

The topics they identified for debate include 'COVID-19 quarantine and overcoming the economic crisis,' 'What kind of leadership is needed to unite the people's capabilities to overcome crises,' 'Reforming elite politics and wasteful adversarial politics in the era of popular sovereignty,' 'Strategies to revive the economy and livelihoods in an era of polarization and low growth,' 'Strategies for denuclearization and peace cooperation on the Korean Peninsula amid U.S.-China conflicts,' 'Strategies for decentralization and balanced development in the era of local extinction,' and 'National strategies for sustainable development in the era of climate crisis.'

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