Democratic Party Debates 'Party Member Primaries'
The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has begun internal discussions to strike a balance between the value of 'party member primaries' and the practical task of selecting fair candidates for next year's local elections. The party faces the challenge of establishing a primary system that properly reflects the opinions of party members while simultaneously selecting competitive candidates.
The North Jeolla Province chapter of the DPK initiated in-depth discussions on November 4th to set the direction for candidate nominations for the local elections next June. The core issue of this discussion is finding concrete ways to realize 'party member primaries.' At the same time, they must find a harmonious way to integrate it with the primary principle of DPK chief Chung Cheong-rae, which guarantees all candidates, except those disqualified due to socially reprehensible acts such as drunk driving, violence, or sex crimes, the opportunity to participate in the primaries.
Yoon Jun-byeong, chairman of the North Jeolla Province chapter of the DPK, emphasized, "We will do our best to create a transparent and fair primary that does not unfairly benefit any particular candidate." Chairman Yoon expressed his intention to proceed with the nomination process in a way that ensures fairness and transparency, respecting the choices of party members as much as possible.
However, some within the party have raised serious concerns about whether it is realistically feasible to grant all candidates, without exception, the opportunity to participate in the primaries without a preliminary screening process known as a 'cutoff (primary exclusion).' The cutoff has the advantage of filtering out unqualified candidates in advance, contributing to the fairness and efficiency of the primary. On the other hand, providing opportunities for all candidates has the positive aspect of broadening party members' choices and encouraging participation.
The cutoff is also criticized for potentially missing talented individuals by evaluating candidates based on limited information. Conversely, giving all candidates an equal opportunity raises concerns that it could lead to excessive competition during the primary process and deepen divisions within the party.
Meanwhile, on the same day, a 'Resolution Rally to Urge the Establishment of the 2nd Central Police Academy in Namwon' was held at the National Assembly. Approximately 2,000 residents from the Jirisan region, including Namwon, Sunchang, Jinan, Gurye, Hadong, and Sancheong, attended the rally, strongly asserting that the 2nd Central Police Academy should be located in Namwon. They emphasized Namwon's geographical advantages and its potential as an educational facility, arguing that the establishment of the Central Police Academy in Namwon would greatly contribute to regional economic revitalization and balanced development.
Rally participants emphasized that Namwon is a transportation hub connecting Yeongnam and Honam regions and boasts rich cultural heritage and beautiful natural environment. They also highlighted that there are already police-related educational facilities in Namwon and that local residents are highly enthusiastic about attracting the academy.
Yoon Jun-byeong, chairman of the North Jeolla Province chapter of the DPK, attended the rally and stated, "Establishing the 2nd Central Police Academy in Namwon is no longer a matter of choice but an essential task that must be realized," expressing the party's intention to actively support the Namwon location. Chairman Yoon emphasized the positive effects of establishing the Central Police Academy on regional development and added that he plans to actively convey the justification for Namwon's location to the government and related organizations.
Chairman Yoon predicted that establishing the Central Police Academy would solidify Namwon's status as an educational city and greatly contribute to regional economic revitalization. He also emphasized that the Namwon location would inject new vitality into the underdeveloped region and contribute to balanced national development.
Rep. Park Hee-seung raised his voice, saying, "Namwon, located in the center of Yeongnam and Honam, should become the center of true balanced national development." Rep. Park emphasized Namwon's historical and cultural value, as well as its geographically important location connecting Yeongnam and Honam, and stated that he would support Namwon's growth as a base for balanced national development through the establishment of the Central Police Academy.
Rep. Park said that he would actively support the Namwon location at the National Assembly level, cooperate with the government, and highlight Namwon's strengths. He also promised to do his best to improve the quality of life of local residents and contribute to the development of the local community through the Namwon location.
North Jeolla Province Governor Kim Kwan-young encouraged the rally participants, saying, "I believe that the earnest wishes you have shown here today will surely lead to fruition." Governor Kim emphasized that the establishment of the 2nd Central Police Academy is essential for the development of North Jeolla Province and promised to make every effort to locate it in Namwon at the provincial level. He also expressed his intention to actively cooperate with the central government to achieve the Namwon location.
Governor Kim said that North Jeolla Province will concentrate all its capabilities on the Namwon location and cooperate closely with the government to carry out location activities. He also emphasized that he will work to ensure that North Jeolla Province will be reborn as a region leading balanced development in the Republic of Korea through the Namwon location.
National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik responded, "The National Assembly will do its best to protect the democracy of the Republic of Korea and safeguard the livelihoods of the people." Speaker Woo promised that the National Assembly would listen to the voices of the people and work to stabilize people's livelihoods, promising support from the National Assembly for the establishment of the 2nd Central Police Academy in Namwon. He also said that he would work to contribute to regional economic revitalization and balanced national development through the Namwon location.
Speaker Woo said that he would not spare any necessary support from the National Assembly level for the Namwon location and would cooperate with the government to actively support location activities. He also promised to do his best to improve the quality of life of local residents and contribute to the development of the local community through the Namwon location.
The DPK plans to seek ways to realize the value of 'party member primaries' in next year's local elections while selecting fair and transparent candidates. It is expected to focus on gathering opinions from party members and coordinating various interests to determine the optimal nomination method. In addition, efforts to establish the 2nd Central Police Academy in Namwon will continue, and efforts will be made to prepare policies for regional development.
The DPK plans to gather opinions on the nomination method through party member meetings and public opinion polls in the future, and based on this, finalize specific nomination criteria and procedures. In addition, it plans to strengthen cooperation with the National Assembly, the government, and the local community to establish the 2nd Central Police Academy in Namwon, and actively promote the justification for the location by highlighting Namwon's strengths. The Democratic Party of Korea stated that it will actively gather the opinions of party members to establish a fair nomination method and do its best to prepare policies for regional development.
