D-50 Until June 3 Local Elections, Electoral Districts Still Unsettled... What Are the Key Issues?

NEC: "Election Law Must Be Finalized by the 17th"

Ruling and Opposition Parties Divided over Raising Proportional Representation Ratio

Rebuilding Korea Party: "Change Must Be Made Even If It Goes to Public Administration Committee"

D-50. There are only 50 days left until the upcoming June 3 local elections, but the electoral district boundaries have yet to be finalized. Although the final deadline set by the National Election Commission and others is approaching on the 17th, negotiations reportedly have not found a breakthrough.

According to multiple officials from the Special Committee on Political Reform at the National Assembly on April 14, the Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party are continuing negotiations, but remain at an impasse. The so-called "2+2" negotiations, involving the floor chief deputy whips and secretaries of the Special Committee on Political Reform from both parties, are being held from time to time.

A scene from the Special Committee on Political Reform and the Subcommittee on Public Official Election Law and Local Electoral District Reorganization held at the National Assembly.

While those participating in the talks are keeping the details confidential, it is understood that issues such as increasing the proportional representation ratio for metropolitan council members are key points of contention. The Democratic Party is advocating for expanding proportional representation, while the People Power Party is reportedly pushing for its minimization. In addition, both parties are said to be discussing maintaining the current electoral district system as much as possible to minimize controversy over unconstitutionality raised by the Constitutional Court. Depending on the progress of negotiations, the Special Committee on Political Reform may convene on the 15th. Both parties are strongly committed to reaching a deal.

Previously, the National Election Commission had communicated that the election law, including the new electoral district boundaries, must be finalized by the 17th. This is because the schedule requires the promulgation of the amended law on the 22nd, submission of basic council electoral district plans to city and provincial councils on the 24th, and revision and implementation of the local election ordinances by the city and provincial councils by the 1st of next month.

Progressive parties such as the Rebuilding Korea Party are opposed to a compromise that would maintain the status quo. On April 2, the Rebuilding Korea Party and others reached an agreement with Byungdo Han, the Democratic Party's floor leader, on introducing medium-sized constituencies for metropolitan councils, expanding medium-sized constituencies for basic councils, and raising the proportional representation ratio for metropolitan councils. A Rebuilding Korea Party official stated, "If negotiations within the Special Committee on Political Reform do not succeed, the election system should be changed according to the agreement, even if it means transferring the matter to the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee." Regarding this, a senior Democratic Party official commented, "We understand the public's desire for political reform, but since the election law constitutes the 'rules of the game,' it is burdensome to proceed unilaterally, which is why we are making efforts to reach a consensus."

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