Party of former legal professionals?

The ruling Grand National Party has 38 former legal professionals – judges, prosecutors, and lawyers – out of 166 lawmakers, which account for nearly a quarter of the party. Half of them (19) are former prosecutors.

The main opposition Democratic United Party has 14 former legal professionals among its 89 members (15.7 percent). This has led to the ruling party being called the “Legal Professionals’ Party” or “Prosecutors’ Party.”

Chung Hong-won, former independent counsel and president of the Korea Legal Aid Corp., is the new chairman of the ruling party`s committee for screening and recommending candidates for the April general elections. Former prosecutor Ahn Kang-min did the same for the party in 2008 in carrying on the tradition of former legal professionals assuming the job. The ruling party has yet to rid its image as a party of legal professionals. The vice chairman, Chong Jong-sup, is the dean of the School of Law at Seoul National University.

The role of people with different job backgrounds at the National Assembly is a prerequisite for representational democracy. Given the importance of legislation, having legal professionals with a legal mindset is considered important. A concentration in a specific background, however, could lead to excessive representation.

Lee Taek-soo, CEO of survey company Real Meter, said the Korean people dislike the Grand National Party most (41.5 percent) according to the latest opinion poll, adding, “People seem to think that legal professionals are overrepresented in the National Assembly.” This is why the party is seen as authoritative and bureaucratic. In addition, those who marry up and achieve success only after passing the bar are not always welcomed. Even Hong Joon-pyo, a former prosecutor-turned-lawmaker, publicly suggested cutting the number of legal professionals in the party last year while serving as party chairman.

Chung could count on favors from his acquaintances in the legal profession. The profile of lawmakers who were formerly legal professionals could also ensue. Four years ago, the number of legal professionals was 56, more than three times the number of the Democratic United Party (16). A repeat of the same is highly likely this year.

Nomination reform should be the centerpiece of the ruling party`s reform. If it fails to break with its image as a party of legal professionals despite its emergency committee and new name, it will fail to win the hearts and minds of the people.