Kim Boo-kyum, “The Democratic Party must stop the election system from going backwards”

Former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum sits for an interview with the Kyunghyang Shinmun in a restaurant in Jung-gu, Seoul on November 27. Kwon Do-hyun

Former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum stepped away from the frontlines of politics last May 22, saying, “I will end my three-decade journey in public office.” Despite various calls from politicians, he remained silent, but on November 27, Kim sat with the Kyunghyang Shinmun for his first interview with the press.

Q. This is your first official interview in a year and six months since you resigned as prime minister. Could we see this as a return to politics?

A. “It’s still negative. I need to have some cause or sense of duty to play a new role, but the situation has not changed. However, discussions on the election system are underway. This was the most important reason why I engaged in politics all my life, and the Democratic Party holds the decisive key on this issue. So I thought I had something to say and that was why I agreed to the interview.”

Q. What would be the sense of duty or cause necessary for you to return to politics?

A. “I would take action if I could contribute to realizing a world of welfare, peace and stable livelihoods for the people, but now is not the time. The situation does not call for me to immediately take action for next year’s parliamentary elections.”

Q. Why is the election system a cause for you to “officially come out”?

A. “I decided to speak because of a sense of urgency that we could not let a system that reflects our political development retreat and because of the thought that it is the obligation of a democratic citizen to stop such regression. I want to earnestly appeal to the Democratic Party leadership that now is a time for them to display a firm attitude.”

Q. The Democratic Party of Korea has yet to decide between the region-based proportional representation and mixed-member proportional representation.

A. “First, we need to stop the establishment of ‘satellite parties.’ About fifty legislators have asked the party to adopt a ban on satellite parties as the party platform. They are calling for the leadership to follow principles. Why is the major party in the National Assembly being dragged around on this issue, when it rams through other problems? Even if the People Power Party (PPP) argues for a return to the previous proportional representation system, I ask that the Democratic Party firmly stick to principle.”

Q. What was the negative results of establishing a satellite party?

A. “The quasi-mixed-member proportional representation system was introduced with the determination to overcome regionalism and become a political party trusted by the people. It was an issue that should have been viewed as a promise with the people that they should have kept, not just a political issue. But creating satellite parties was an intolerable step backward that only brought political distrust. Social conflicts amplified since the people were disappointed and political effectiveness lost.”

Q. The Democratic Party is complaining about reality claiming that under a mixed-member proportional representation system, it would be difficult to retain its position as the majority if it doesn’t create a satellite party.

A. “They could enact a bill banning the establishment of satellite parties. Even President Yoon Suk-yeol would not be able to veto the bill. If the Democratic Party follows principles, so does the PPP. There will be temptation, but they should keep in mind that if they fall for it just because it doesn’t work in their favor, they will be making a bigger mistake of not respecting the people.”

Q. The progressive parties are asking for party coalitions for elections.

A. “Reforms to the election system were launched by large parties after reflections on their failure to gather the people’s political opinions, after all. Why should the two parties be the only ones engaging in politics? What does it matter if it (mixed-member proportional representation) works to the advantage of Cho Kuk’s new party and Lee Jun-seok’s new party? We need a third and fourth party with double-digit seats in parliament for the massive parties to compete and strive for better politics.”

Q. Will it be possible to resolve the winner-takes-all problem and realize a multiparty system by simply changing the way we determine the 47 seats for proportional representation without increasing the number of seats for proportional representation?

A. “What is important is the direction. Last time, they got the direction right with mixed-member proportional representation. If the two major parties had not created satellite parties, they could have also discussed increasing proportional representation as well as parliamentary seats. A return to the previous proportional representation system, but one based on regional party support, would only increase diversity in the major political parties in the Yeongnam and Honam regions.”

Q. How would you evaluate a year and six months of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s time in office?

A. “I think he spent a lot of time and attention on the power struggle in his party. The president should not try to handle everything himself, but delegate a lot of his authority to his cabinet and hold them responsible accordingly. I was very concerned when he suddenly waged a war of ideologies. Not hesitating to abuse prosecutorial powers on the opposition party leader and to tighten his grip over him throughout his time in office goes against the principle of democracy.”

Q. Do you think it was right of you, a “middleweight” politician who once served as prime minister, not to express any position so far?

A. “There have been such views, but I think I voluntarily took a step back. I think it’s presumptuous to voice my opinions on issues when I’m not even engaging in real life politics.”

Q. Do you think the Democratic Party under leader Lee Jae-myung is doing all right?

A. “Lee is facing many challenges, but I think if he shows a more receptive leadership, it will help the party come together. The power of the Democratic Party is in its respect for diversity and its dynamic nature, but recently such features have faded.”

Q. What about the problem of hardline supporters?

A. “Attacking different opinions is the same as white terror.”

Q. Why didn’t Kim Boo-kyum’s experiment continue after you were elected in Daegu in the 2016 general elections?

A. “At the time of the general elections in 2020, we did everything to support the Daegu, Gyeongsangbuk-do area, after the region took a direct blow from covid, but we ended up losing votes. I ended my efforts thinking this was not the kind of politics that the Daegu citizens expected. It’s hard to predict since a new conservative party may compete against the PPP in next year’s parliamentary elections, but I think the Democratic Party will do well.”

Q. Recently, there has been demand from inside the party for lawmakers from the Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do area to run in their hometowns. Are you interested in joining them?

A. “Sacrifice and devotion should be the direction of the entire party. If not, it will only be harsh on a certain region and certain legislators.”