Parallel Voting System Regression?…Ithanhee "Ruling Party's Sweet Temptation, Democracy Must Not Be Surpassed"

"Parallel voting is 'two-party cartel law' privatizing legislative power"
"At least 47 proportional seats should include diverse parties"

Regarding the movement to revert the proportional representation election method for next year's general election from the current 'semi-linked' system to the 'parallel' system, Lee Tan-hee, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated, "We must not fall for the temptation of the People Power Party."

The semi-linked proportional representation system was implemented with the intention of expanding the entry of minor parties into the National Assembly, but it has faced criticism for undermining its original purpose after 'satellite parties' were created in the 21st general election in 2020. The People Power Party argues that to prevent the side effects of satellite parties, the system should return to the parallel proportional representation system. The parallel proportional representation system allocates proportional representation seats based on the party vote share regardless of constituency seats, which is advantageous to the two major parties.

However, voices opposing the return to the parallel system are also strong. Critics argue that reverting to a structure where the two major parties monopolize seats is a regression. Lee Tan-hee, who opposes the parallel proportional representation system, insists that the semi-linked proportional representation system should be maintained as is, while both ruling and opposition parties should work together to prevent the emergence of satellite parties.

Lee Tan-hee, member of the Democratic Party of Korea./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

As a member of the National Assembly's Special Committee on Political Reform, Lee appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 14th and explained the background of the political circle's proposal to revert to the parallel system, saying, "It was proposed by the People Power Party," and added, "The two major parties are tempted to just break into the '47-seat alley market' of proportional representation seats, with the People Power Party wanting to secure seats and the Democratic Party wanting to take some as well, so they agree to turn a blind eye. Some people within the Democratic Party are wavering."

However, Lee pointed out, "Introducing the parallel election system, known as the bipartisan cartel law, to block competitors such as Lee Jun-seok's new party or Cho Kuk's new party is privatizing the legislative power entrusted by the people," and emphasized, "This must never happen."

He continued, "The biggest problem in Korean politics is the reflexive benefit structure where if you succeed in undermining others, you naturally win," and added, "Breaking this reflexive benefit structure starts with expanding the choices available to the people."

Lee described the current political structure in South Korea as "a vested interest logic that confines people to a deserted island and forces them to choose between two," and stressed, "In the 22nd National Assembly, even the '47-seat alley market' should not be monopolized by the two major parties; instead, various parties should enter and form coalitions on an issue-by-issue basis."

Lee also demanded that the party leadership maintain the semi-linked proportional representation system. He said, "Traditionally, election laws have been decided more by the leadership than by the majority of lawmakers. Ultimately, the decision-making power lies with the Democratic Party leadership," and added, "I think it is not good for the leadership to remain silent for too long."

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