Minseok Kim Proposes Lowering Negotiating Bloc Threshold From 20 to 15 Seats... Innovation Party Says "10 Is the Norm"

Innovation Party: "Not Just Words, But Action... 20-Seat Requirement Is a Remnant of the Yushin Era"

Minseok Kim, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on September 16 proposed political reform measures aimed at realizing a united front among progressive forces, including easing the requirements for negotiating blocs in the National Assembly.

During a broadcast on Democratic Party TV, Kim stated, "As the oldest member of the progressive camp, we have reached a stage where I must propose and implement a plan for solidarity." He added, "In particular, witnessing the withdrawal of candidate Hyein Yong for Minister of Gender Equality and Family highlighted the vulnerable position of progressive groups."

Minseok Kim, Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. Yonhap News Agency

He first suggested easing the negotiating bloc requirement from the current 20 seats to 15 seats, commenting, "For a start, 15 seats seems both realistic and acceptable." Currently, the Innovation Party holds 12 seats, the Progressive Party has 4 seats, and the Basic Income Party and Social Democratic Party each have 1 seat. The Innovation Party has been advocating to lower the threshold to 10 seats.

Kim also mentioned the need to reform the quasi-linked proportional representation system, which has led to the proliferation of satellite parties and was brought to light by the controversy over nominee Yong. He further called for the introduction of a presidential runoff system and additional measures for election coalition strategies among progressive forces. "This week should serve as a turning point to establish a floor for our approval ratings and spark at least a slight rebound," Kim stressed.

However, the Innovation Party responded to Kim's remarks by saying, "There have been no official or unofficial contacts with Democratic Party leadership regarding political reform, solidarity, or unification." The party reiterated that its official position is to normalize the negotiating bloc threshold at 10 seats. The Innovation Party continued, "The current 20-seat requirement is a remnant of the Yushin era, enacted during the Park Chung-hee regime to raise the bar for negotiating blocs," and insisted, "It is only logical and natural to return to the pre-Yushin standard of 10 seats."

The Innovation Party further emphasized, "What is needed is not just words, but action. Solidarity must be institutionalized and promises must be kept." The party stated that, "To achieve this, the Democratic Party should provide concrete roadmaps and actions, including implementing the previously agreed-upon roundtable declaration, forming a political reform consultative body, and convening a third roundtable meeting."

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