Gyeongbuk Provincial Council Approves 69 Two-Member, 34 Three-Member, and 2 Four-Member Districts for Local Councils... "Tyranny of Splitting Three- and Four-Member Districts"

The Administrative, Health and Welfare Committee of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council held a standing committee meeting on the 27th and passed the "Partial Amendment Ordinance on the Number of Council Members by Electoral District in City and County Councils of Gyeongbuk Province." The bill was subsequently approved at the plenary session of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council.

The redistricting plan approved by the Administrative, Health and Welfare Committee that day reduces the total number of city and county council members in Gyeongbuk Province from the previous 288 (251 from constituencies and 37 proportional representatives) to 284 (248 from constituencies and 36 proportional representatives), a decrease of four members. This outcome reflects an increase of three members—one each in Gyeongju, Gyeongsan, and Chilgok—following the amendment of the Public Official Election Act, but also a decrease of seven members due to the incorporation of Gunwi County into Daegu City.

Gyeongbuk Provincial Council

By district, there will be 69 two-member electoral districts, 34 three-member districts, and two four-member districts.

Kim Ilsu, Vice Chairman of the Administrative, Health and Welfare Committee, stated, "With the National Assembly's amendment of the Public Official Election Act delayed and confusion growing among voters and candidates ahead of the local elections, we have prepared a reasonable adjustment plan that reflects the living areas and local characteristics of residents as much as possible."

However, Democratic Party proportional representative Assemblywoman Jeong Sookkyung of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council voiced strong opposition in a debate that day, harshly criticizing the redistricting plan as "an illegal determination that has lost its legal basis and an act of tyranny by vested interests that destroys political diversity."

Assemblywoman Jeong first pointed out that the plan undermines the rule of law. She said, "The National Assembly already deleted the legal basis for splitting four-member districts through the 2022 amendment to the Public Official Election Act. Nevertheless, Gyeongbuk is ignoring this and forcibly splitting four-member districts into two-member districts through manipulative tactics, which is an unconstitutional practice that undermines the value of each voter's ballot."

She also remarked, "Given that more than 60% of the electoral districts are now two-member districts, forcibly splitting existing three-member districts as well constitutes gerrymandering that favors a specific party. Ultimately, this excludes diverse public opinions and reinforces a political structure centered on major parties."

Assemblywoman Jeong further stated, "If the original proposal of the Redistricting Commission is ignored and an even more regressive revision is forcibly implemented by further splitting three-member districts into two-member districts, it will leave an indelible stain on the political history of Gyeongbuk. Residents are watching the choices of each assembly member. Democracy thrives on diversity. In accordance with the purpose of the legal amendments, we must expand the three-member and four-member multi-member districts to invigorate democracy in Gyeongbuk."

The Progressive Party's Gyeongbuk Provincial Chapter also issued a statement, saying, "The revised plan that splits three-member districts into two-member districts was hastily pushed through, ignoring the recommendations of the Gyeongbuk Redistricting Commission. Overturning the proposal submitted through the Redistricting Commission's discussions and finalizing the districts on the day of the plenary session is a political act that blatantly distorts the will of the people. The People Power Party, which effectively monopolizes the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council, has redrawn the districts to maintain its vested interests and distorted public sentiment."

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