Democratic Party Approves Preferential Voting System Amendment... Youth Supreme Council Proposal Rejected (Comprehensive)

Closed Supreme Council Meeting Yields Hard-Fought Rule Decision

Party Affairs Committee to Handle Proposed Regulation Amendments

Rejection of Youth Supreme Council Member Draws Criticism as "Petty Ambition"

The Supreme Council of the Democratic Party of Korea decided on the 14th to amend party regulations to introduce the "preferential voting system" for the August 17 National Party Members’ Convention (National Convention). The proposal to create the position of Youth Supreme Council Member was voted down.

SungYoon Lee, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is seen leaving the meeting room during a closed Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 14th, stating, "I will resign from my position as Supreme Council Member." Photo by Hyunmin Kim

Kang Junghyun, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party, met with reporters after the closed Supreme Council meeting that day and stated, "We aimed to revise the party regulations in order to minimize controversy over leadership election rules ahead of the National Convention." He explained, "The key point is to clarify that both the preferential voting system and the runoff voting method can be used in the event of a runoff. The amendment to the relevant party regulations will be approved at 4 p.m." Kang added, "The amendment was discussed verbally rather than put to a vote."

Although Supreme Council members close to former leader Jung Cheongrae, who hold a majority of voting rights, had expressed opposition to the introduction of the preferential voting system, the procedure was carried out by verbal agreement rather than a vote. Prior to this, Democratic Party Supreme Council Member SungYoon Lee left the Supreme Council meeting, arguing that the introduction of the preferential voting system constituted an "amendment to the party constitution." Afterwards, he told reporters, "As of today, I will resign from my position as Supreme Council Member."

Supreme Council Member Park Kyohwan stated, "We had no choice but to make this decision to prevent a crisis," and added, "In line with the spirit of party before self, we chose to forgo the rights of the majority (the pro-China faction) and follow the wishes of the minority." Supreme Council Member Hwang Myungseon, who supported the preferential voting system, commented, "The leadership had been drifting for over a week while wrestling with the problem and the method. As a member of the leadership, I feel a profound sense of responsibility for causing division among party members and concern among the public."

Former leader Jung Cheongrae wrote on Facebook, "I will coolly accept the party’s decision, though there is much I would like to say but will not." He added, "I will protect the Democratic Party, so I ask all party members to protect Jung Cheongrae."

Park Jiwon (left), Park Kyohwan, and Moon Jungbok, Supreme Council members from the Democratic Party's pro-China faction, expressed their opposition to the 'preferential voting system' to reporters after a closed Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 14th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Additionally, the proposal from the Convention Preparation Committee (Jeonjunwi) to separately elect a Youth Supreme Council Member was voted down by the Supreme Council. Chief Spokesperson Kang stated, "Since it was voted down by the Supreme Council, the introduction of the Youth Supreme Council Member will likely be reconsidered by the Convention Preparation Committee." Supreme Council Member Kang Deukgu, who supports introducing the Youth Supreme Council Member, criticized, "Anyone appointed by the party leader is influenced by that leader. Electing a youth member represented the demand of the era to reflect the perspectives and concerns of the younger generation in the party’s policies and vision, but some members of the leadership opposed it."

Kim Minseok, former Prime Minister and candidate for party leader, commented, "It is regrettable that the introduction of a Youth Supreme Council Member, which would broaden the path for youth politics, was thwarted by opposition from certain candidates." He added, "If I become party leader, I will assign one appointed Supreme Council seat to a member of the youth and ensure they are selected through a festive election process. I will also immediately pursue a constitutional amendment to guarantee one elected Supreme Council seat for the youth."

Democratic Party lawmaker Song Younggil also remarked, "It is regrettable that the Youth Supreme Council Member system was not approved," and added, "I have consistently pledged that, if elected party leader, I will appoint two people in their twenties or thirties to appointed Supreme Council seats."

Jung Mincheol, vice chair of the Democratic Party’s Policy Committee and candidate for Supreme Council, also criticized, "The Youth Supreme Council Member proposal was voted down on the grounds of the party constitution and regulations. This is a lie," he said. "It is a petty desire to deny even a single Supreme Council seat to the younger generation."

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party plans to finalize the National Convention selection system by reconvening the Convention Preparation Committee, Supreme Council, and Party Executive Committee after amending the party regulations through the Party Executive Committee.

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