Lee Byunghoon Proposes Bill to Standardize the Term "Dangseonja" for Election Winners

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[Asia Economy Honam Newsroom, reporter Park Jinhyung] A bill is set to be introduced that aims to put an end to the recurring debate over the terms "winner" (Dangseonja) and "president-elect" (Dangseonin) that arises during every election.

Lee Byunghoon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Gwangju Dong-gu Nam-gu Eul), announced on April 17 that he plans to propose amendments to six laws, including the Public Official Election Act, on April 18. The amendments would standardize the term for an elected person as "Dangseonja" (winner), in accordance with the Constitution, instead of "Dangseonin" (president-elect).

The highest law in Korea, the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, uses only the term "Dangseonja" (winner) and does not use "Dangseonin" (president-elect).

However, under current laws such as the Public Official Election Act, the National Assembly Act, the Act on the Management of Presidential Records, the Act on the Handover of Presidential Duties, the Personnel Hearing Act, and the Political Funds Act, a person who has been elected but has not yet begun their term is referred to as "Dangseonin" (president-elect).

The debate over the terms "Dangseonja" and "Dangseonin" dates back to the transition team of President Lee Myungbak in 2008. At that time, the transition team requested the media to use "Dangseonin" (president-elect), based on legal terminology, instead of the widely used "Dangseonja" (winner).

As the controversy grew, the Constitutional Court officially confirmed that "Dangseonja" (winner) is the expression that aligns with the Constitution, and linguists and journalists also stated that "Dangseonja" is consistent with Korean language norms.

Nevertheless, despite these opinions, the term "Dangseonin" (president-elect) as requested by the transition team became dominant, and the same debate resurfaced during the transition of President Yoon Sukyeol.

Lee Byunghoon stated, "The background of the controversy seems to be the mistaken belief that '-in' (person) is a more honorific term than '-ja' (person). However, it is both constitutionally and linguistically correct for a candidate (Ja) who wins an election to become a Dangseonja (winner)." He emphasized the need to unify the terminology as "Dangseonja."

According to Park Mankyu, a professor of French at Ajou University and former president of the Korean Lexicographical Society, the suffix "-ja" (者) is used in words such as participant, successful candidate, moderator, consumer, confirmed patient, and voter. It generally refers to someone in a temporary state, with a temporary right, or performing a temporary action or role.

The suffix "-in" (人) is used in words such as cultural person, intellectual, American, Honam-in, medical professional, and legal professional, and refers to a relatively permanent state rather than a temporary one. It is used for regional status such as nationality or for those who have worked in a specific field for a long time.

Lee Byunghoon emphasized the significance and necessity of the amendment, saying, "Immediately after being elected is the time when the winner should focus most on public sentiment and people's livelihoods. I hope that, starting next time, winners will be able to prepare for their inauguration without unnecessary controversy over such trivial issues."

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