Prime Minister Kim Min-seok Warns of Risks in Democratic Party's One Member, One Vote System

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok addressed concerns regarding the Democratic Party's implementation of a one member, one vote system during a workshop at the Kim Dae-jung Political School in Gwangju on June 26. He stated, "If we advocate for party member sovereignty and implement one member, one vote, is that the end? No, it is not."

He cautioned that applying this system in leadership elections could lead the party to become more like a cooperative rather than a historically rooted political entity. "If individuals with money and organization can gather just 300 voters by paying 1,000 won each for six months, they could easily win most elections. Isn’t that the reality?" he remarked.

Kim noted that after the recent elections, he heard stories of individuals who had never been seen in Gwanghwamun during the candlelight protests suddenly gathering large numbers of party members to pass primaries. "Is this acceptable? I do not think so," he said.

He emphasized that if the Democratic Party aims to be a century-old party with historical roots, it must go beyond merely advocating for member sovereignty and one member, one vote. It should design and create a system that ensures these principles are genuinely realized. He called for reforms that guarantee more information, discussion, authority, and responsibilities for party members.

Furthermore, he stated, "The issue at the Democratic Party convention is not about who is favored. It should focus on how to address the suffering of the youth, what alternatives to propose if the election commission is deemed inadequate, and what fundamental framework the party should have to lead the nation."

Kim concluded by asserting that the Democratic Party must undergo significant changes. "If it continues on its current path, the party will be completely swept away by the times. If it cannot engage with those in their 20s and 30s, it will simply drift away," he warned. He stressed the need for the party to transform into a more youthful entity and to radically change its culture, including its language, expressions, attitudes, and approach to dialogue with progressive, centrist, and conservative groups. "It must become much more attractive," he added.