Cho Kuk Innovation Party Protests Setback in Major Electoral District System Talks

The Cho Kuk Innovation Party (CKIP) has strongly protested the regression in political reform discussions, including the introduction of a 'major electoral district system' that would elect two or more local district lawmakers. As the possibility emerged that political reform bills, such as the expansion of the major electoral district system to local councils that the Democratic Party of Korea and four progressive opposition parties had initially agreed upon, might be watered down during the legislative process due to opposition from the People Power Party, the CKIP denounced it as an 'extension of vested interests'.

CKIP Floor Leader Seo Wang-jin on April 17 labeled the political reform proposal being pursued by the Democratic Party and the People Power Party as a 'contract to extend vested interests' and urged the Democratic Party to make a decision. He warned, "If the agreement is insisted upon even one day before the plenary session, it is an act of betrayal to the citizens who held up their support sticks today, following the candlelight protesters of 10 years ago," adding, "Ultimately, it will be impossible to escape the stern judgment of public opinion."

Previously, the Democratic Party and the four progressive opposition parties had agreed to process bills at the plenary session on April 10 that included: △ Expansion of the major electoral district system for the primary local councils compared to 2022 △ Active introduction of the major electoral district system for provincial councils △ An increase in the proportion of proportional representation for provincial councilors from the current 10%. However, this fell through due to opposition from the People Power Party. In this process, CKIP lawmaker Chung Choon-saeng resigned from his position on the National Assembly's Special Committee on Political Reform.

The Gwangju-Jeonnam Civic Society Response Team for Promoting Political Reform, composed of about 30 organizations, also issued an emergency statement on April 17 and condemned the Democratic Party. The response team declared, "We condemn the Democratic Party for betraying the revolution of light to maintain political vested interests and choosing to coexist with the People Power Party, a party that condones rebellion," and warned, "The Democratic Party, which takes promises with its citizens so lightly, will surely face public judgment." The Gwangju-Jeonnam Civic Society Response Team for Promoting Political Reform, consisting of around 30 civic groups, criticized the Democratic Party through its statement, stating that the Democratic Party, which betrayed its promises to the citizens and chose cooperation with the People Power Party to maintain political vested interests, would face public judgment.