Ruling party changes coalition partner over LGBTQ issue
Officials from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and minor liberal parties pose for a photo, Tuesday, after signing an agreement to form a coalition to jointly run for the proportional representation seats in the April 15 general election. For the coalition, the DPK decided to partner with the Civil Together ― a minor party created by liberal activists who support the Moon Jae-in administration and former Justice Minister Cho Kuk ― instead of its earlier plan to cooperate with the Coalition for Political Reform. Courtesy of DPK
DPK partners with 'pro-Moon Jae-in' group for proportional representation seats
By Jung Da-min
The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has been under fire for avoiding LGBTQ issues during its pursuit of a coalition with minor liberal parties.
Such remarks were made by DPK General Secretary Yun Ho-jung, Tuesday, when the DPK decided to partner with the Civil Together ― a minor party created by liberal activists who support the Moon Jae-in administration and former Justice Minister Cho Kuk ― instead of its earlier plan to cooperate with the Coalition for Political Reform (CPR).
Last Friday, the DPK announced plans to collaborate with the CPR and minor liberal parties to create a separate party in a bid to gain more proportional representation seats in the April 15 general election, despite criticism that such a coalition would serve as the DPK's “satellite party.”
For the liberal “big tent” plan, the minor Future Party and Green Party decided to join the coalition. But the DPK changed its plan, Tuesday, saying it would partner with the Civil Together. By allying with the “pro-Moon” Civil Together, the DPK will have more power in deciding the proportional representation candidate list than the CPR which consists of civic activists and minor parties with comparatively “radical” agendas.
While explaining the reason for the change, however, Yun said the DPK does not want to risk forming a coalition with those who could cause “unnecessary and consuming debates” over the issue of sexual minorities.
“The DPK sees that it would be difficult to unite with parties that could cause unnecessary and consuming debates over ideological matters or sexual minority issues,” Yun told reporters.
Two of the Green Party's candidates for proportional representation are members of a sexual minority, and many other liberal minor parties have been working to improve the rights of LGBTQ people.
The minor progressive Justice Party, which has refused to form a coalition with the DPK, said the remarks showed the ruling party's discriminatory intent and that it doesn't want to have a sexual minority candidate.
Criticism rose even within ranks of the DPK.
LGBTQ DPK members issued a statement demanding Yun apologize to party members and citizens. “Has the sexual minority issue been an 'unnecessary' matter within the DPK?” they said. “A group of citizens do not enjoy the same rights guaranteed by the Constitution and suffer discrimination. Is this 'consuming'?”
They said former liberal presidents ― Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun ― were also against discrimination based on sexual orientation. “Did the two presidents do unnecessary and consuming work?” they asked.