Democratic Party to Promote Introduction of Multi-Member Constituencies for Metropolitan Councils... Joint Declaration with Five Progressive Parties

Floor Leaders of Five Parties Sign Joint Declaration at the National Assembly

Push for Expansion of Multi-Member Constituencies in Local and Metropolitan Councils

Agreement Reached on Handling Political Reform Bill and Launching Consultative

The floor leaders of the five democratic reform progressive parties, including the Democratic Party of Korea, have agreed to promote political reform agendas such as introducing medium-sized electoral districts for metropolitan councils in the June 3 local elections. The Democratic Party of Korea has also decided to join the reform agendas of minor progressive parties such as the Party for National Innovation.

On April 2, Han Byung-do, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Wangjin Seo, floor leader of the Party for National Innovation, Jong-oh Yoon, floor leader of the Progressive Party, Changmin Han, floor leader of the Social Democratic Party, and Ji-hye Shin, supreme council member of the Basic Income Party, signed the "Joint Declaration for the Completion of Political Reform and Restoration of Constitutional Order in the June 3 Local Elections" at the National Assembly.

The floor leaders of the five democratic reform progressive parties signed a joint declaration on June 3 local elections to complete political reform and restore constitutional order at the political reform tent protest site in front of the National Assembly main building on the 2nd, while Han Byung-do, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (third from left), was speaking. From the left, Changmin Han, leader of the Social Democratic Party, Wangjin Seo, floor leader of the Party for National Innovation, Byung-do Han, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Jong-oh Yoon, floor leader of the Progressive Party, and Ji-hye Shin, supreme council member of the Basic Income Party. Yonhap News Agency

The declaration stated, "The June 3 local elections must serve as a historic turning point to heal the wounds of martial law and insurrection and to fundamentally improve the structure of democracy in the Republic of Korea," adding, "We have decided to make the June 3 local elections a true festival reflecting the will of the people by fully guaranteeing the equality of votes and realizing politics that directly reflects public sentiment."

In this regard, they agreed to expand medium-sized electoral districts for municipal councils, actively promote the introduction of medium-sized electoral districts for metropolitan councils, raise the ratio of proportional representation in metropolitan councils by 10%, operate a working-level consultative body among the five democratic reform parties, and handle the political reform bill on April 10.

Floor leader Seo stated, "Through focused discussions between the floor leader groups of the four parties and the Democratic Party of Korea, we were able to reach an agreement on basic principles and directions."

When asked by reporters about the prospects for negotiations with the People Power Party, floor leader Han said, "There will be areas of sharp confrontation in the negotiations, as well as areas where a common understanding can be reached," adding, "We plan to make specific proposals."

Meanwhile, the runoff voting system for metropolitan mayors was not included in this agreement. Floor leader Seo added, "We will discuss this further during the Special Committee on Political Reform process."

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