NPAD releases reform draft to transfer nomination right

NPAD’s 4th reform draft to transfer nomination right to city and province parties

Reform committee (chaired by Kim Sang-gon) of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) issued the fourth reform draft on Jul. 17, which aims for decentralization of power by transferring the nomination right for local election to city and province parties. However, the committee has delayed announcement of measures to strengthen the party identity, which raised doubts that the committee tries not to offend the party.

The central committee’s meeting scheduled on July 20 seems to have affected the reform committee’s decision. Some analyze that the reform committee has postponed issues related to the party’s policy line and values, which the pro-Roh faction (supporters of the former late President Roh Moo-hyun) and non-supporters of Roh would sensitively react, before the central committee which determines the reform drafts.

According to the announced reform plan, the nomination rights for local government heads and provincial/municipal councilors will be transferred to city and province parties. The party constitution and regulations will stipulate that the candidates determined by city and province parties shall not be changed by the party’s supreme council. The objective of this reform is to prohibit the central party from involving in nomination of mayors and county governors, except for heads of metropolitan councils such as Seoul City mayor or provincial governors.

The reform committee has released a measure to gradually increase the ratio of payment of the government subsidy to city and province parties from current 15% to 20 percent. Increased subsidies will be used to support legislative activities, policy development and training programs (more than twice a month) of provincial and municipal councilors. The draft also includes a measure to fill one third of the standing committee heads in the central party with members outside the party.