Jin Joong-kwon on Song Young-gil's 'Political Reform Plan': "Too Late... Seems to Sense a Crisis"

"Betrayed the Mixed-Member Proportional Representation System... Lacks Sincerity"

In May of last year, at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon delivered a keynote presentation on the theme of "Fairness" during a debate titled "Yoon Seok-yeol, Possibilities and Limitations as President."
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon belittled the Democratic Party of Korea's 'National Integration Political Reform Plan' as "a last gamble thrown out of a sense of crisis in approval ratings."

On the 24th, Jin said on CBS Radio's 'One Match' program, "It's too late. To have sincerity, this agenda should have been presented from the beginning of the election. Anyone can see this is a political gesture."

Earlier that day, Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party, held a press conference at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, announcing the 'National Integration Political Reform Plan.' He stated, "March 9 should be the first day of national integration politics that guarantees multi-party coalition politics and reflects diverse public opinion. The Democratic Party will start by reflecting on itself and parting ways with old politics." He then presented three major reform directions: ▲Implementation of a national integration government ▲Electoral reform for a national integration National Assembly ▲Democratization of the power structure through a national integration constitutional amendment.

In response, Jin said, "Even if it proceeds sincerely, how did the previous electoral reform go? As soon as the mixed-member proportional representation system was introduced, they immediately betrayed it." He added, "Will they push this after the election? They will not, and even if they try, there will be tremendous internal opposition. This is a countermeasure thrown against the part where Ahn Cheol-soo, the People's Party presidential candidate, combines with Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party presidential candidate, under the slogan 'political change, not regime change.'"

Jin said, "They probably do not sincerely believe this will truly succeed. So, if Yoon's side takes up Ahn's political reform issue and counterattacks, the Democratic Party will have no grounds to refuse because it was their own proposal. In fact, this is the scenario with the highest chance of success for this proposal."

Finally, Jin criticized, "Even if the Democratic Party wants to do it, individual lawmakers face losing their constituency seats and the families dependent on them. So, without a determination for self-sacrifice that cuts to the bone, this is impossible. Unless this comes from the unanimous will of the lawmakers, which it does not, this is not a feasible idea and will disappear after the election anyway."

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