[Reporter’s Notebook] Is the Democratic Party Reform Failing in Mokpo?

The Democratic Party's Only Way to Survive Is Through Reform Nominations

Recently, listening to the voices of Mokpo citizens reveals growing disappointment with the Democratic Party of Korea.

In the 8th nationwide local elections in 2022, independent candidates made remarkable advances in Jeonnam, winning many basic local government head elections against Democratic Party candidates.

Especially in the southwestern region of Jeonnam, which can be considered the Democratic Party's stronghold, independent candidates were elected in Mokpo, Yeonggwang, Jindo, and Muan.

Honam has historically played a central role in national salvation movements during difficult times. During the Japanese colonial period, it led independence efforts such as the June 10th Manse Movement and the Gwangju Student Anti-Japanese Movement. During the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, countless citizens shed blood and faced death to fight against military dictatorship, achieving direct presidential elections and a single-member district system for the National Assembly, thereby protecting South Korean democracy.

Since the 13th presidential and National Assembly elections, Honam has overwhelmingly supported the Democratic Party with the spirit of fighting against conservative and dictatorial forces. In short, a new phrase was born in Honam: as long as you carry the Democratic Party flag, you are guaranteed to win.

However, observing the recent behavior of the Democratic Party, Honam residents feel not only self-disgust but even political disgust.

Despite local lawmakers who cannot utter significant words on the central political stage, who only engage in internal backbiting to protect their own interests and show no concern for local issues, local residents complain. What meaning does such legislative activity have when all they say is "We will work hard" and "Please support us"? It seems they have adopted a complacent mindset that as long as they receive party nominations, they will be elected.

Of course, the background for such local constituency activities clearly lies in problems with the Democratic Party's nomination system.

The Democratic Party's nomination system is largely decided by 50% party members and 50% public opinion polls. This system is absolutely advantageous to entrenched politicians. Conversely, if asked whether people want incumbent politicians to be re-elected in the next election, the results would be quite the opposite.

Recent public opinion polls in Mokpo show that even combining the two leading Democratic Party candidates does not exceed 50%. Fifty percent of respondents say there is no candidate they would vote for.

With no strong candidates, all kinds of rumors and slanders are rampant among candidates. Citizens show no interest, yet candidates engage in factional fights, slandering each other and boasting about their supposed victories.

And there is a commonality: they know nothing about the region and do not live continuously in the area, yet claim they will revitalize it.

Recall the 8th nationwide local elections: the Democratic Party Jeonnam Provincial Party's elected official screening committee was composed of first-term lawmakers themselves, individuals recommended by lawmakers with two or more terms, and some recommended by civic groups.

However, a problem arose when some screening committee members recommended by lawmakers with two or more terms were found to have criminal records yet were selected as committee members.

This led the Democratic Party itself to sow distrust among citizens regarding its nomination screening system.

As a result of the screening, a candidate sentenced to one year in prison was nominated, a candidate reported to the election commission for bribery and gift-giving involving his wife was nominated, and candidates violating party rules and regulations were also nominated. Such unprincipled nominations pushed Honam residents' disappointment and sense of betrayal toward the Democratic Party to the extreme.

Moreover, the Democratic Party Jeonnam Provincial Party Chairman A's interview stating "It is not related because it is not a personal corruption of the candidate" poured cold water on local public sentiment and led to many independent candidates being elected.

Local lawmakers believe that under the current Democratic Party nomination system, as long as they secure their people among basic councilors, metropolitan councilors, heads of local governments, and local political brokers, they can commit any illegal or illicit acts, win primaries, and be elected in the next election.

In short, if they unite local powerful factions, their political life is secure. The words of former National Assembly member Hwang Ju-hong come to mind again: "A lawmaker can give up Dokdo, but never the nomination rights for local elections." This aligns with the idea of protecting one's own people at all costs.

As long as lawmakers hold such a mindset, Honam residents' love for the Democratic Party will remain unrequited.

When President Kim Dae-jung introduced the party nomination system for local autonomy, he said, "Grassroots democracy is the party nomination system, and the party nomination system is responsible politics." Yet irresponsible lawmakers continue to pass eligibility screenings and confidently expect victory.

Now, the Democratic Party must show a changed image to Honam residents and the people of South Korea.

If the Democratic Party loses due to the lack of Honam's support, the current Democratic Party leadership will become sinners of history. It is not too late yet. The Democratic Party should reflect now and nominate genuinely reform-minded people rather than those clinging to vested interests and dividing spoils.

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