Lee Jae-myung "Will Find the Path to Victory Within Semi-Linked Proportional Representation"... Officially Forms Satellite Party in the Form of Democratic Grand Alliance

Lee Jae-myung Holds Emergency Press Conference in Gwangju
"Maintain the Semi-Linked System for Proportional Representation Selection"
Han Dong-hoon: "An Individual Deciding the Election System"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, decided on the party's official stance for this year's proportional representation election method as the 'quasi-linked proportional representation' on the 5th. Lee also formalized the creation of a satellite party in the form of a 'Democratic Reform Election Coalition.'

Visiting Gwangju, Lee held an emergency press conference at the May 18 Democratic Cemetery on the same day, declaring, "We will find the path to victory within the quasi-linked system." Previously, the Democratic Party had fierce debates between those advocating for a regional parallel system to win the general election and those insisting on maintaining the linked system promised through political reform. Ultimately, on the 2nd, the Democratic Party's Supreme Council delegated the decision-making authority on this issue to Lee.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At this event, Lee explained the reasons for his dilemma between the parallel and linked systems and introduced the negotiation process where his proposal for a third way (allowing dual registration in regional proportional representation and guaranteeing seats for minor parties) was rejected. He then stated that the quasi-linked system is an "imperfect but precious step," expressing his belief that "the awakened and active citizens will open the 'path to a splendid victory,'" explaining why he chose the quasi-linked proportional representation system.

At the same time, he officially announced the move to establish a satellite party. He mentioned the incomplete legislation that failed to prevent satellite parties in the previous National Assembly, the failure to pass the satellite party prevention law in the current National Assembly, and the necessity to create a satellite party again ahead of the general election, bowing three times to apologize. Regarding the Democratic Party's proportional representation selection, he said, "We will prepare an integrated proportional party that responds to the satellite party's foul play together with all forces agreeing on regime judgment and historical progress while preserving the intent of the quasi-linked system," and added, "By building the 'Democratic Reform Election Coalition,' we will lead the victory of the Democratic Party and the people." Referring to the decision to create a quasi-satellite party rather than a satellite party, he added, "Although we cannot wield swords together, I hope you can somewhat understand the inevitability of at least raising shields."

With Lee adopting the quasi-linked proportional representation election system, it seems inevitable that the Public Official Election Act will also undergo revision. Currently, the Public Official Election Act is set to transition to a fully linked system in this election following the last general election. Given Lee's announcement to maintain the quasi-linked system, some framework of the parallel proportional representation is expected to remain. However, clashes between ruling and opposition parties during the election law revision process are unavoidable.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, Han Dong-hoon, emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, criticized at the emergency committee meeting on the same day, saying, "It is truly incomprehensible that the election system, which will greatly affect 50 million people, is being decided based on the mood of one person named Lee Jae-myung." Regarding Lee's decision on the quasi-linked proportional representation method, he criticized, "That system has no inevitable basis."

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