Party for National Innovation Calls for Objective Reflection on Democratic-Progressive Solidarity Failure After Pyeongtaek-eul Defeat

Urges Ruling and Opposition Parties to Form Special Committee on Political Reform

Shin Jangsik, Acting President of the People's Party for National Innovation, addressed the defeat of the democratic and progressive camp in the National Assembly by-election for Pyeongtaek-eul, Gyeonggi Province, which was held simultaneously with the 9th nationwide local elections on June 3, stating, "Before apportioning blame, there must be an objective reflection on the failure to unite."

Shin Jangsik, Acting President of the People's Party for National Innovation, is visiting the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju, to pay respects on the 18th. Photo by Yonhap News

During an on-site Supreme Council meeting held in front of the Gate of Democracy at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Gwangju on the same day, Acting President Shin remarked, "There is a clear lesson that the democratic and progressive camp must take to heart from the June 3 local elections: division inevitably leads to defeat."

He continued, "Responsible politicians or parties must come up with solutions to avoid repeating mistakes like this. The answer is clear: it is to institutionalize the runoff voting system and open primaries, which everyone agreed to and promised during the movement to end the past rebellion and establish a government based on national sovereignty."

He added, "The runoff voting system ensures democratic representation and legitimacy, and prevents unqualified candidates from winning due to favorable circumstances. Furthermore, when a candidate from a major party wins in an open primary, it helps gather support from other minor parties as well, thereby enhancing representativeness."

He also mentioned the need to amend the Political Parties Act and the Public Official Election Act to achieve this, and urged both the ruling and opposition parties to establish a Special Committee on Political Reform in the National Assembly.

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