Practicing Party Sovereignty, The Field of Party Innovation - The Significance of the 2025 National Convention of the Democratic Party of Korea

Introduction: Why is Party Innovation Necessary?

Political parties are a core mechanism of democracy. However, for a long time, Korean parties have had structural limitations, including a closed structure, decision-making centralized around a few individuals, and a lack of strategic organization. These pathological phenomena of parties have been a major cause of deepening citizens' distrust and apathy toward politics. Changes in politics are slower than changes in institutions, and without structural innovation within parties, substantial democracy is also impossible. The Democratic Party, as the main opposition party and a party with ruling potential, faces the task of strengthening internal democracy and party member participation. The organization that emerged in response to this historical demand is the 'Democratic National Innovation Council.' This organization, formed on the consciousness of exercising sovereignty, changing party structure, and ultimately laying the groundwork for the reestablishment of power, established a milestone for its maturity and the next phase of development through the 'National Convention' held in Cheongju on June 29, 2025. This national convention holds political and institutional significance beyond a simple internal event and is receiving attention.

What is the Democratic Party's National Innovation Conference?

The Democratic Innovation Council officially launched on June 4, 2023, as a party member sovereignty movement organization within the Democratic Party of Korea. This organization was formed based on critiques of the existing decision-making system centered on the party leadership, the candidate nomination system focused on incumbent lawmakers, and the centralized operation of the party. It originated from the belief that party members and citizens should practically engage in the operation of the party. At its inception, it was led by district committee chairs from regions outside of the National Assembly, former heads of local governments, and political newcomers who were outside the existing power structure. The founding objectives were outlined in three goals: first, to realize a ‘party member sovereignty party’, second, to achieve a ‘revolution in candidate nominations’, and third, to establish an institutionalized organizational foundation for a change of government. These values aimed to simultaneously promote changes within the Democratic Party and transformations in Korean party politics. In practice, the Democratic Innovation Council demonstrated its organizational capability during the upcoming 2024 April 10 general elections. It led nationwide candidate verification and political education for party members, strategically supporting around 50 candidates, 31 of whom successfully entered the National Assembly. This was evaluated as a significant case of a single organization having a practical impact on candidate nominations, marking a clear presence as a political force within the party. Subsequently, the Democratic Innovation Council connected with lawmakers through a format called the 'Cooperative Member Group', growing into the largest organization within the party. Currently, 40 to 45 incumbent lawmakers participate in this cooperative structure, which can be interpreted as a new political experiment differing from traditional factional politics, centered on 'political solidarity based on party members'.

2025 National Conference Structure and Significance

On June 29, 2025, the 'Democratic Party National Innovation Conference 2025 National Assembly' was held at the Osco Grand Ballroom in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do. This event was a manifestation of the organization's strategy to institutionally solidify its internal base and systematically respond to future political schedules. Hundreds of attendees, including regional chairpersons, supportive party members, and members of the National Assembly from across the country, participated, marking a significant moment that formalized the formation of the third leadership team while announcing the direction of future activities. During the national assembly, a third standing representative group consisting of five members was approved. This included in-house figures such as Lee Kwang-hee (former Chungbuk provincial councilor), Kim Ki-pyo (current member), and Kim Moon-soo (current member), along with outside figures such as Yoo Dong-cheol (chairperson of Busan Suyeong-gu) and Heo Tae-jung (former mayor of Daejeon) who were also reappointed. This composition is evaluated as a consideration of generational balance and experience, reflecting a choice that takes into account both political practice and the stability of party organization. The national assembly proposed activity directions such as 'Success of the People's Sovereignty Government', 'Victory Strategy for Local Elections', 'Strengthening Policy and Political Education', and 'Nurturing Preliminary Candidates'. This declaration was not just aimed at dispersing power within the party but also aimed at expanding substantial political actions. In particular, as it marks the 30th anniversary of local autonomy, the vision of "Realizing a Region-Centered Party" was emphasized, suggesting that the organization's future activities will be restructured to take root in local communities and everyday life.

Symbolism and Tension within the Party

The National Innovation Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea is an organization that carries both symbolism and tension within the party. The symbolism can be found in its first attempt to organize and institutionalize the spirit of the times, which emphasizes a "member-centered party." The structure in which party members participate as actual operators of the party, rather than mere supporters, fundamentally shakes the existing central party-parliamentarian structure. Meanwhile, the tension arises because the issues and actions they raise clash to some extent with the existing leadership and mainstream political forces. Although the Democratic Party has claimed innovation and reform several times in the past, it has often amounted to one-time events that are repeated during each general and presidential election cycle. The Innovation Committee points out the limitations of such formal reforms and advocates for substantial amendments to party rules and the establishment of a member participation structure. In particular, proposals such as institutionalizing member general meetings, establishing a system of voting by all party members, and allowing party members to directly elect candidates fundamentally change the party's structure, which could be uncomfortable demands for mainstream politicians accustomed to leadership-centered politics. However, this very tension can also be seen as a living proof of democracy and an advancement of the internal discussion culture in the party. Strong support for Representative Lee Jae-myung is another characteristic of the Innovation Committee. This organization shares the political agenda pursued by Representative Lee, such as "restoration of democracy" and "reform of prosecutorial power," and serves as an ideological focal point within the party. However, the Innovation Committee is characterized more by structural reform than by being a factional organization, as it acts as an organized body of party members who agree on political agendas.

Conclusion: The Future of Political Organizations, the Subject of 'Party Members'

The National Innovation Committee of the Democratic Party is a political experiment that goes beyond being a simple internal organization. This organization practically proves the possibility that party members can function as subjects rather than objects of the party. The 2025 National Convention was a crucial milestone for the institutionalization of this practice and its transition to the next stage. The Democratic Party has now reached a point where it must accept the proposals and challenges of the Innovation Committee not as mere internal minority opinions but as the direction the entire party should move toward. In light of the upcoming local elections in 2026 and the presidential election in 2027, a party structure with strengthened party member sovereignty will soon become the key to restoring voter trust. Restoring trust in politics does not stem from grand promises or messages. When the closest party organization changes and a structure is created that respects individuals within it, citizen trust in politics will be restored. The National Innovation Committee of the Democratic Party and its National Convention are a miniature version of such future politics and the starting point of democracy in which citizens called 'party members' are the subjects.