[Q&A] Why Are the Ruling and Opposition Parties Talking About Reviving Jikudang?

Abolished 20 Years Ago Amidst Cha-Ttegi Controversy in Local Party System
Presented as Political Reform Agenda by Han Dong-hoon, Yoon Sang-hyun, etc.
Consensus Reached in 21st National Assembly Political Reform Special Committee

Amid the ‘ChaTtegi controversy,’ voices are emerging in the political sphere calling for the revival of the district party (Jigudang), which was abolished 20 years ago, from the perspective of political reform. It is a new development that not only the Democratic Party of Korea but also prominent People Power Party (PPP) leadership candidates, including former Emergency Response Committee Chairman Han Dong-hoon, have joined the discussion on reviving the district party. The conditions for the district party’s revival as part of political reform in the 22nd National Assembly have become stronger than ever.

Why was the district party abolished?

The district party was abolished in 2004 following the illegal presidential election fund scandal in 2002, amid criticism that it was a ‘money-eating hippo.’ It was abolished through an amendment to the Political Parties Act, known as the so-called Oh Se-hoon law. The rationale was to fundamentally cut off the root of illegal funding, as the operating expenses associated with running the district party were procured through illicit means involving collusion with local influential figures. Afterward, the party branch committee system was introduced, but it was prohibited from having separate offices or full-time staff. In contrast, incumbents were allowed to have local offices, creating a structure favorable only to incumbents.

Has the discussion on ‘reviving the district party’ suddenly emerged?

This issue has been discussed for some time. Kim Young-bae, a Democratic Party lawmaker who proposed the district party revival bill as the first bill in the 22nd National Assembly, said, “The local committee chair was a kind of monarch in the region, but this power should be returned to citizens and party members to open up civic democracy.” More than ten related bills were proposed in the 21st National Assembly for the revival of the district party, and the Political Reform Committee had reached considerable consensus between the ruling and opposition parties, but the effort was thwarted due to opposition from the People Power Party leadership.

On the 29th, the last day of the 21st National Assembly's term, a banner congratulating the opening of the 22nd National Assembly is hung at the main building of the National Assembly. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Why does the People Power Party oppose it?

Nominally, they oppose the district party revival movement citing a regression in political reform, but it is evaluated that underlying reasons include differences in circumstances between the Seoul metropolitan area and the Yeongnam region. A PPP metropolitan area party branch chairman criticized, “From the Yeongnam perspective, the activity of Democratic Party local committee chairs is perceived as a threat, so they oppose it.” On the other hand, it is a new trend that former Chairman Han Dong-hoon and lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun, who is considered a leading PPP leadership candidate, argue for the necessity of the district party.

Why does Han Dong-hoon argue for the necessity of the district party?

Former Chairman Han Dong-hoon argues that the district party is necessary for political newcomers and youth to compete fairly with established politicians. This is in line with the political reform agenda he presented in the last general election. However, within political circles, this is also interpreted as a strategic move for Han’s candidacy in the party leadership election. By proposing a plan to secure the basis for the survival of metropolitan area party branch chairmen who were largely defeated in the recent general election, he aims to gain their votes.

Will the district party be revived this time?

From the perspective of incumbent lawmakers, the revival of the district party is an ‘uncomfortable matter’ as it provides a basis for competing candidates to operate. For this reason, many lawmakers unofficially express opposition to the district party. However, as consensus on the revival of the district party spreads within both major parties, the possibility of accelerating discussions is higher than ever. First, a special committee on political reform capable of discussing the district party revival must be reconstituted.

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