"Looser Negotiation Bloc Standards and Election Reform" Minseok Kim Proposes Progressive Alliance Plan

Kim: "This week, even a slight rebound in approval ratings is necessary"

Minseok Kim, Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on the 16th that “the progressive bloc must realize solidarity” and proposed political reform measures, including easing the criteria for forming a parliamentary negotiation bloc.

On this day, Leader Kim said on Democratic Party TV, “As the eldest of the progressive forces, we have reached a stage where we must propose and realize solidarity measures. In particular, while watching the situation of candidate Hyein Yong for the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family dropping out, I was able to see the reality of the vulnerability within the progressive bloc.”

Minseok Kim, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

First, he suggested easing the standard for forming a negotiation bloc from the current 20 seats to 15 seats, saying, “At first, a threshold of about 15 seats seems realistic and acceptable.” Currently, the Innovation Party has 12 seats, the Progressive Party 4 seats, and the Basic Income Party and Social Democratic Party each have 1 seat. The Innovation Party has been advocating for the threshold to be reduced to 10 seats.

He also mentioned the need to review the semi-interlocked proportional representation system, including revisions to satellite parties, an issue that was brought to the fore by the controversy surrounding candidate Yong. Additionally, he highlighted the necessity to introduce a runoff voting system for presidential elections and to supplement strategies for unifying the progressive bloc in elections. Leader Kim emphasized, “This week should serve as an opportunity to solidify our support at its lowest point and begin even a slight rebound.”

Meanwhile, Hyunseon Hwang, Supreme Council Member of the Innovation Party, pressured Leader Kim on the same day by demanding, “Present a timetable for the immediate passage of legislation.”

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