Na Kyung-won calls for overhaul of semi-linked proportional representation system: 'Not true representative democracy'

People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won said Thursday that the semi-linked proportional representation system — thrust back into the spotlight by the controversy surrounding the nomination of Yong Hye-in as minister of gender equality and family — is "a system incompatible with representative democracy."

Speaking on KBS Radio that day, Na criticized the system as "a bill the People Power Party opposed," adding that the Democratic Party had created satellite parties to avoid losing seats, then absorbed smaller parties back into them — a move that ultimately allowed the Democratic Party to secure close to 200 seats in the National Assembly.

"The Democratic Party absorbed parties like the Basic Income Party, turning them into parties with just one seat and funneling state subsidies their way," she said. "They then use the leverage of those minor parties to pass whatever bills they want in the National Assembly."

Na also called for an amendment to the election law. "The semi-linked proportional system was the bill the Democratic Party traded for the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials legislation — and I clearly warned that it would be operated exactly this way," she said. "Fundamentally, the election law needs to change, but before that, we need to fix the part that wastes political funds and taxpayer money, which is why I introduced the anti-free-rider bill."

On the nomination of Kim Seung-won as Justice Ministry minister, Na said the appointment carried a clear message from the president. "Regardless of whether approval ratings rise or fall, the priority is getting the charges dropped. That is why I believe President Lee nominated Kim — someone who has led a group advocating for the withdrawal of indictments and has long argued that the justice minister should exercise supervisory authority to drop the charges," she said.

Na added that President Lee Jae Myung had another objective beyond dropping the charges. "The Democratic Party is in the midst of a fierce power struggle — the factions around Yu Si-min, Jung Chung-rae and Kim Eo-jun are clashing with President Lee's camp," she said. She suggested the nomination of the minister candidate may have been a way to consolidate the broader left-wing bloc and encircle the Yu, Kim and Jung factions.

On the ongoing debate within the People Power Party over the gap between the party base and the general public, Na said the two would ultimately converge. "Some feel the party base's sentiment is too strong, and views vary — but heading into an election, party sentiment and public sentiment are bound to come together," she said.