The Democratic Party is facing internal strife over the introduction of a preference voting system and a youth committee chair at its upcoming convention on August 17. Proponents argue that this was agreed upon a year ago, while opponents caution that it could create confusion with less than a week before candidate registration.
During a Supreme Council meeting, proponent Hwang Myeong-seon stated, "This convention should be a platform for unity and celebration," urging for the swift processing of the preference voting method and the youth committee chair as decided by the convention preparation committee.
He added, "This system was established according to our party's rules during Lee Jae-myung's tenure as party leader. Everyone agreed to it a year ago, and now it is being questioned because it may disadvantage certain candidates."
Another proponent, Kang Deuk-gu, questioned, "Why is a norm that has not been an issue for a year suddenly being violated just before candidate registration? If it’s not about calculations of advantage or disadvantage, it doesn’t make sense."
Conversely, opponent Lee Seong-yun emphasized, "The party constitution is not just an internal rule; it is our party's constitution. The rules created by party members cannot be overridden by any individual or organization." He asserted that no institution or individual, including the convention preparation committee, can stand above the party's constitution.
Supreme Council member Moon Jeong-bok also expressed concern, stating, "Applying the preference voting system for the party leader election without amending the current regulations does not align with our constitution. With only a few days left until the candidate registration on the 16th, how can young party members prepare?"
Following the Supreme Council meeting, chief spokesperson Kang Jun-hyeon told reporters that Han Byeong-do, the acting party leader and floor leader, expressed a commitment to reach a conclusion in any form. This indicates an intention to quickly resolve the factional conflict arising from the proposed system.
However, both Kang and Hwang separately told reporters that Supreme Council members intending to run for the next convention should resign immediately. Kang added that Park Ji-won, a regular member, and Park Gyu-hwan, a nominated member, should also step down, as Park Ji-won was elected as a member of the National Assembly in the June 3 by-election, and Park Gyu-hwan was appointed by former leader Jeong Cheong-rae.
With Han's declaration to reach a conclusion by today, there is a possibility that the preference voting system could be approved through a vote in the Supreme Council. However, there are concerns that a majority vote could disadvantage the proponents. Hwang stated, "I have not yet considered responses after a potential rejection, but we need a spirit of compromise to avoid a vote."
The preference voting system allows voters to list their top three preferred candidates on the ballot. If a candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes in the first round, they are declared the winner. If no candidate achieves a majority, subsequent choices are counted. Some analysts suggest this method may favor the proponents.
The youth committee chair will be elected separately from among the five Supreme Council members. The composition of the electorate will follow the same rules as for the election of the party leader and Supreme Council members. If there are four or more candidates, a preliminary election will be held to select three candidates, and the candidate with the most votes will be elected using a one-person, one-vote system.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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