Lee Eon-ju, Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, speaks during a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 24th, requesting a reconsideration of the 'one member, one vote system' to be discussed at the party's disciplinary committee meeting scheduled for today. Yonhap News

The Democratic Party has decided to process the amendment to the party constitution and rules regarding the 'one member, one vote system,' which aims to equalize the value of votes from delegates and eligible party members to one vote each, at the Central Committee meeting on December 5th.

The amendment was initially planned to be finalized at the Central Committee meeting on November 28th, but the party has decided to slow down the pace due to internal criticism that the one member, one vote system reform is being rushed without sufficient deliberation.

Cho Seung-rae, the Secretary-General, announced this to reporters at the National Assembly after the party's disciplinary committee meeting on the 24th.

During a briefing, Secretary-General Cho stated, "Due to some concerns among party members regarding the introduction of the one member, one vote system, discussions are needed on how to supplement this system," adding, "To that end, we have agreed to postpone the Central Committee convocation by one week, from November 28th to December 5th."

The amendment to the party constitution and rules for the introduction of the one member, one vote system will be finalized through successive approvals from the Supreme Council, the Disciplinary Committee, and the Central Committee.

While the amendment was approved by the Supreme Council on the 21st and by the Disciplinary Committee today, the final approval by the Central Committee has been postponed due to dissenting opinions from some party members.

Secretary-General Cho said, "It is true that there were differing opinions, whether expressed publicly or privately, and some individuals submitted their opinions in writing or in person," adding, "The leader, Jung Chung-rai, agreed to take more time for discussion by accommodating all these views."

He further stated, "We have decided to form a task force (TF) to supplement the delegate system, and provisions for consideration of vulnerable regions have been supplemented in this amendment to the party constitution and rules," adding, "However, there were opinions requesting more specificity, which we intend to accommodate."

It has also been reported that heated exchanges occurred during the closed-door Disciplinary Committee meeting today.

Prior to the Disciplinary Committee meeting, Supreme Council member Lee Eon-ju stated in a public address during the Supreme Council meeting, "The core of the controversy is not about whether to support or oppose the one member, one vote system, but rather about ensuring the legitimacy and democratic nature of the process and the fact that strategic issues concerning vulnerable regions are being underrepresented," and criticized, "Is it right for the Democratic Party to abolish a significant system that it has operated for decades in a pushy manner within just a few days, without sufficient deliberation?"

Yonhap News