On the 1st, at the Democratic Party’s central headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, a forum titled “System Improvement for Realizing a Member Sovereignty Party” was held. A Democratic Party member attending the forum held a placard criticizing Chairman Jung Cheong-rae. Ahead of the discussion on revising the ‘one person, one vote’ system led by Democratic Party Chairman Jung Cheong-rae, party members expressed their strong opposition, demanding his resignation.
The Democratic Party held the forum to gather opinions from party members on the “delegate-rights member one person, one vote system.” Representative Park Ji-won questioned whether the representation by region has ever been undermined or if the delegate system ever rendered weak region votes meaningless in leadership selection. He argued that such results have not occurred in reality.
He mentioned various ways to supplement the delegate system, such as giving priority to strategic regions in proportional representation or strategic nominations, strengthening quotas in leadership selection for strategic regions, and increasing budget and support from the central party for weaker regions.
Cho Seung-rae, head of the Democratic Party’s delegate and strategic region member role redefinition task force (TF), attended the forum and delivered a greeting.
Representative Yoon Jong-gun pointed out the core issue is the Yeongnam region, noting that while Honam is overrepresented by 3.5 times compared to its population ratio, TK (Daegu-Gyeongbuk) is underrepresented by one-fifth, and Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam by a third.
Contradicting Senior Committee Member Park’s statement that collective intelligence of rights members makes weighted representation unnecessary, he argued that this is precisely why it is needed.
Among the attendees were members who expressed strong reactions with placards stating, “There is no democracy in the Democratic Party” and “Jung Cheong-rae, resign.”
One member raised a voice against the leadership, questioning their interference with President Lee Jae-myung and damaging his image.
Another member expressed disbelief at the plan to convene the central committee on the 5th to forcefully push through the decision, insisting on further discussions as promised by Chairman Jung Cheong-rae.