Daegu City Council Splits Electoral Districts, Sparking Outcry Over 'Power Grab'

The Daegu City Council's recent decision to carve up multi-member electoral districts into smaller, two-seat constituencies has sparked significant backlash from citizens and opposition parties. This move, which affects 7 out of 9 districts that previously had 4-5 seats, is seen by many as a blatant power grab by the ruling People Power Party, aimed at increasing their representation in the local assembly.

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The multi-member electoral system is a stern command from the citizens to break the monopolistic structure of the two major parties and reflect even a single person's voice in the seats.

While the council cites adherence to national guidelines for pilot multi-member districts and the need to prevent electoral chaos as justifications, critics argue these are mere pretexts. The Democratic Party, the sole opposition voice on the council, decries the decision as a "폭거" (act of violence) that undermines political diversity and serves only to protect the ruling party's vested interests. Civic groups have echoed this sentiment, condemning the swift passage of the ordinance as anti-democratic and a betrayal of public trust.

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The People Power Party committed an act of violence, tearing apart the multi-member electoral districts into two-seat districts solely for their vested interests.

From our perspective at Hankyoreh, this incident highlights a worrying trend of political maneuvering that prioritizes party advantage over genuine representation. The reduction of district sizes often favors established parties, making it harder for new voices or smaller parties to gain a foothold. The council's decision effectively silences the calls for greater political diversity and accountability that are crucial for a healthy democracy. The citizens of Daegu deserve electoral districts that reflect their diverse voices, not ones gerrymandered to ensure a specific party's dominance.

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We condemn Daegu City Council for its anti-democratic and anti-people move of a surprise vote to split electoral districts.