Election System Reform Debate Sparked by Yong: Will the Semi-Linked Proportional Representation Be Abolished?

Following the controversy over satellite parties sparked by Assemblywoman Yong Hyein of the Basic Income Party, calls are emerging to reform the current semi-linked proportional representation system used to elect National Assembly members. As debates intensify over restricting satellite parties or reverting to the previous parallel voting system, it is expected that full-scale discussions will take place ahead of the 23rd general election for the National Assembly in 2028.

Minister of Gender Equality and Family Candidate Yong Hyein is leaving the press conference room after making a statement at the National Assembly Communication Office on September 10, 2026. Photo by Dongjoo Yoon

On the morning of September 14, Jang Donghyeok, representative of the People Power Party, stated during the supreme council meeting at the National Assembly, "To correct the harm revealed by the current satellite party situation, the semi-linked system must be abolished." The semi-linked system was introduced as a method of allocating proportional representation seats to reduce the gap (disproportionality) between the public will and the number of seats won.

However, as the two major parties, concerned about losing seats, established satellite parties, the disproportionality index increased from 9.77 in the 20th general election (parallel system) to 15.42 in the 22nd general election (semi-linked system). There is also controversy over so-called 'parasitic parties.' For example, the Basic Income Party, despite gaining less than 1% of the vote in various nationwide elections, was still able to enter the legislature.

The simplest approach would be to revert to a parallel voting system. A bill to amend the Public Official Election Act reflecting this idea has already been proposed within the People Power Party. The Democratic Party also discussed such a move prior to the 22nd general election. However, some argue that this would be a regressive step, as the purpose of introducing the semi-linked system—to improve disproportionality—would become meaningless.

In particular, for the ruling party, defining the relationship with minor pro-government parties is an issue. Kim Minseok, head of the Democratic Party, has stated, "If we consider our interests, it's the parallel system; if we are after legitimacy, it's the semi-linked system." In political circles, it is believed that significant discussion on the matter will not gain momentum until next year, as there is still more than a year left until the next general election.

In addition, attention is being drawn to the fact that the 3% vote share threshold—which was the basis for allocating proportional representation seats—has been ruled unconstitutional. Had the previous system (parallel and largest remainder method) been applied in the 22nd general election, extra-parliamentary parties such as the Liberty Unification Party (2.26%), Green Justice Party (2.14%), and New Future (1.70%) could potentially have gained seats in the National Assembly.

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