Democratic Party Floor Leader Election 2025: Overcoming System Errors in Intra-Party Democracy

The Halt of the System and the Breathing of Democracy

In June 2025, the Democratic Party held its floor leader election. However, the main protagonists of the day were neither the candidates nor the lawmakers. Surprisingly, all the attention and focus shifted to the voting system. More precisely, it was the party members who halted that system. Countless members simultaneously accessed the online voting platform, leading to authentication errors, server delays, and connection failures. Some lamented, saying they had been looking at the login screen for over an hour, while others expressed their frustration, stating that their verification codes did not arrive. However, this chaos soon transformed into a single message: it was powerful evidence that party democracy was functioning vibrantly.

Voices and Rights of Members

One of the long-standing shadows of party politics has been the reality that while there are many party members, there are few avenues for their voices to be heard. Although there were party members with rights, their presence was often limited within the party's power structure, remaining as outsiders who only paid their dues. However, in recent years, Korean politics has brought these individuals to the forefront. In 2022, when Representative Park Hong-geun was elected as floor leader, party members with rights began to strategically support figures who could reliably back the leadership of Representative Lee Jae-myung, thereby leading the flow within the party. Their choices were not merely based on personal relationships, but rather on political decisions grounded in policy drive and party unity. Since this time, party members with rights have begun to establish themselves not as 'guests of the party' but as 'subjects of the party.'

Milestone of Communication and Participation

Park Chan-dae, who held the position of floor leader from 2024 to 2025, also emphasized communication with party members. In his farewell press conference, he stated, "I ask for the active participation of party members in the next leadership election," reaffirming that even internal party elections are part of a democracy designed for direct participation of members. Within the political sphere, the position of party members was increasingly transforming from a mere symbol to a substantial force. Finally, the floor leader election of 2025 marked the peak of that enthusiasm. For the first time in the history of the Democratic Party, this election reflected 20% of the votes from party members, with numerous members participating in online voting, and that fervent participation was so intense that it temporarily halted the system.

Human Will to Participate and the Proof of Democracy

However, this halt was not a failure. Rather, it was a vivid demonstration of democracy showing the human will to participate, which is stronger than any machine. The system may have paused, but democracy never stopped. It is worth considering on one hand. Today's politics are in an era of cynicism and indifference. In a world where phrases like 'politics never changes' and 'it’s all the same no matter who you vote for' have become commonplace, party members have risen through the quiet cracks. Within the structure of a party, voters raise their hands towards policies, post comments, and click to vote. They are moving politics from behind the scenes. They are not just cheering but are finding their place as practical sovereigns who decide, oversee, and create parties together.

Factors of Party Democracy

The election of the floor leader is no longer just a procedure to select a single member of the National Assembly. It serves as a litmus test for how democracy within the party is functioning. The clearest marks on that test paper came from the fingertips of countless party members who clicked, waited, and attempted to verify their participation again. Although the system may have paused momentarily, democracy was pulsating more vigorously than ever. The more people interested in politics participate, the more transparent the party becomes, and the deeper democracy grows. At the end of this path lies a future where party members transcend mere membership and become substantial agents of Korean democracy.

The Change in Politics and the Role of Party Members

And now, we know. The click of a party member moves politics. At the center are two candidates, Representatives Seo Young-kyo and Kim Byung-ki, both key figures of the Democratic Party. Regardless of who becomes the floor leader, it is sincerely hoped by all party members and citizens that the Democratic Party will stably support the leadership of Lee Jae-myung and become a capable party that works together with the people.