First-term Lawmakers' Successive 'Non-Candidacy Declarations'... Will It Signal Reform for the Opposition?

Yeo Jangje-won Announces Withdrawal from Election... Beginning of Personnel Reform?
'Economic Expert' Hong Seong-guk and 'Electoral Reform' Lee Tan-hee Also Withdraw
Opposition Leadership Faces Dilemma Over Sacrifice Demand... "Risk of Party Division"

First-term lawmakers of the Democratic Party of Korea have consecutively declared that they will not run in next year's general election, drawing attention as a potential signal for 'personnel reform.'

On the 13th, Democratic Party lawmaker Hong Seong-guk issued a statement saying, "Over the past four years, I have tried to change our society with a new perspective, but due to the limitations of the current backward political structure, I have not achieved results," and declared that he will not run in next year's general election.

Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Hong Seong-guk is announcing his decision not to run in next year's general election at the National Assembly on the 13th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee Tan-hee, who had opposed the election system reform leaning toward a parallel system and had announced plans to run in a difficult district, also held an emergency press conference at the National Assembly communication office that morning and confirmed his decision not to run. Lee said, "I will give up all opportunities to run and serve quietly," appealing, "Please just abide by the election law."

The consecutive non-candidacy declarations by Hong Seong-guk and Lee Tan-hee, both regarded as 'economic experts' within the party, have drawn attention as to whether they will lead to pressure for reform on the party leadership. Amid the deadlock between the ruling and opposition parties over election system reform, when party leader Lee Jae-myung hinted at a 'return to the parallel system,' Lee Tan-hee opposed the reform aimed solely at winning the general election as 'regressive.' In particular, the 'Principles and Common Sense' lawmakers, who have pressured Lee Jae-myung with the slogan 'Serve the party before oneself,' plan to soon deliver their demands for innovation to the party leadership.

Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Lee Tan-hee declared on the 13th at the National Assembly that he will not run in next year's general election and greeted the cameras. [Image source=Yonhap News]

However, the leadership still appears cautious. On the same day, Floor Leader Hong Ik-pyo responded on YTN Radio to the host's remark that "People Power Party is showing signs of personnel reform, but the Democratic Party is relatively quiet," saying, "It will naturally begin." He added, "Our party has already had sporadic personnel reforms," recalling the non-candidacy declarations of lawmakers Park Byeong-seok and Woo Sang-ho, as well as his own plan to run in a difficult district.

A leadership lawmaker classified as pro-Lee Jae-myung told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "The leadership is carefully considering the demands for personnel reform and fully agrees on the necessity," but also drew a line, saying, "There are rumors of new parties emerging outside the party, and with no clear direction on election system reform, hastily recommending or pressuring members not to run could rather lead to division, which is a concern."

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