Parties face backlash over political reform deal
![The revised Political Parties Act is passed at the National Assembly in Seoul on April 18. [YONHAP]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/04/20/9241aba2-8e5f-4084-bdaf-30a475e24e86.jpg)
The revised Political Parties Act is passed at the National Assembly in Seoul on April 18. [YONHAP]
The ruling Democratic Party of Korea and the main opposition People Power Party are facing criticism after jointly passing a revised Political Parties Act at the National Assembly late on Saturday night. The law allows local party organizations in electoral districts to operate a single office, which has prompted concerns that it could revive the problems associated with the abolished district party system. While both parties insist the change does not amount to restoring the old system, critics say their response ignores public sentiment and reflects a lack of accountability.
The district party structure was dismantled 22 years ago to curb excessive political spending and prevent parties from becoming dominated by powerful figures and incumbent lawmakers. A compromise allowed party organizations to remain in constituencies without maintaining physical offices. About a decade ago, the Constitutional Court upheld this framework, warning that permitting offices without sufficient party democratization could revive past abuses. Despite little change in public expectations or legal reasoning, the two major parties pushed ahead with the revision without holding a proper public hearing.
If the goal was to address the practical difficulties faced by local party officials without parliamentary seats, critics argue that lawmakers should have proposed safeguards, such as stronger measures to block illegal funding. Instead, the bill was passed alongside long-delayed decisions on electoral district boundaries, which had already missed deadlines by more than four months. Observers say the timing reflects shared interests between the two parties, particularly in regions where electoral competition is weak.
Smaller parties have voiced strong opposition, warning that the move will entrench a two-party system and deepen the role of money in politics. The speed of the process has also drawn criticism. The bill, agreed upon on Friday afternoon, passed the plenary session in less than 12 hours. Critics argue that such rapid handling of politically sensitive legislation undermines transparency and accountability.
A separate revision to the Public Official Election Act has also sparked debate. The amendment raises the proportion of proportional representation seats in metropolitan councils from 10 percent to 14 percent, a compromise between the Democratic Party’s proposal of 15 percent and the People Power Party’s 13 percent. While framed as a measure to expand opportunities for smaller parties, opponents argue that it ultimately reinforces the dominance of the two major parties.
The change is expected to require an additional 3 billion won ($2 million) in public funds, but lawmakers have offered little explanation for the increased cost. According to critics, the lack of detailed justification highlights the disconnect between political decision-making and public accountability. Meanwhile, both parties have struggled to cooperate on major judicial reform issues that directly affect governance and livelihoods.
This contrast has deepened public frustration. For many observers, the episode reinforces perceptions that political reform in Korea is moving in the wrong direction. Rather than beginning with efforts to reduce entrenched privileges, the latest legislative moves appear to strengthen them and may further erode trust in the political system.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
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