Park Ji-won is a writer for The Korea Times who has been covering a wide range of topics from Korea’s culture to its politics. An avid journalism enthusiast to the core, Ji-won brings a thoughtful and unique perspective to every topic she covers. On weekends, you'll often find her contemplating life’s purpose on a yoga mat — with a cup of quality tea in hand. A native Korean speaker by birth and fluent in English through her work, she went to college in Japan and is learning Chinese and French — hoping to add Polish, Russian and Thai to the mix.
DPK pushes for naming more new faces in April election
Rep. Lee Hae-chan, center, chairman of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), begins a party meeting at the National Assembly, Monday. Yonhap
By Park Ji-won
By Park Ji-won
The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) plans to name some 40 new candidates in the upcoming April general election in an attempt to give the party a "fresh stimulus" amid criticism that there are limited opportunities for political newbies under the current election rule.
Political sources said the ruling party will designate political rookies or popular figures as sole candidates in some 40 constituencies replacing incumbent lawmakers which account for one third of the current 129 DPK lawmakers. Several incumbent lawmakers who announced they would bow out of the race in April are expected to be among those replaced with new candidates.
If the candidates are on the DPK's ticket under the plan, they are exempted from competitive primary races. The initiative aims to increase the number of political rookies while minimizing the internal clashes created by the nomination process so that the party can have more chances of winning, DPK sources said.
The move is likely a reflection of calls that politics needs new blood. In July, the DPK announced its election rule to give extra points to candidates younger than 40 running in primaries, so they can have more chances than the older generations.
Critics, however, have been pointing out that there are still few chances for the younger generations to participate in politics or become lawmakers as political heavyweights don't easily give up their positions.
“The party is planning to add a fresh stimulus to its reputation which has been remaining at a comparably low point to win a concrete victory over opposition parties due to the corruption scandal surrounding former Justice Minister Cho Kuk,” a political commentator said, adding that the drive will help the party gain support.
The plan will likely gain momentum after more incumbent lawmakers give up their seats.
Currently, five sitting members have announced that they will not run in the upcoming election. They include Reps. Lee Hae-chan in Sejong City, Won Hye-young in Bucheon's Ojeong-gu in Gyeonggi Province, Chin Young in Seoul's Yongsan-gu, Baek Jae-hyun in Gwangmyeong A in Gyeonggi Province and Pyo Chang-won in Yongin D in Gyeonggi Province. More constituencies of political heavyweights including National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang, Justice Minister nominee Choo Mi-ae and Minister of SMEs and Startups Park Young-sun are expected not to run as well due to their current duties.
Meanwhile, the DPK's approval rating rose to 41.2 percent in the second week of December, according to a Realmeter poll on 2,514 people, Monday, up 1.2 percentage points compared to last week. The figure continued to rise for more than three weeks. The main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) gained 29.5 percent support in the second week of this month, down 1.9 percentage points week-on-week.
The result was likely a reflection of the National Assembly's current feud surrounding fast-tracked bills on electoral and political reform. Among liberals, the DPK gained 65.9 percent support, up 4 percentage points, while among conservatives, the LKP gained 63.8 percent support, up 1.7 percentage points. Meanwhile, among centrists, 38.5 percent support the DPK while 30.9 percent support the LKP.