Development of Local Politics through Permitting Local Political Parties

The current Political Party Act regulates the establishment of regional parties by limiting registration as a political party only when there is a central party in the capital city and five or more city/provincial parties nationwide. This is the reason why local politics cannot escape from the influence of central politics and local issues are not highlighted in local elections. Academia and civil society are demanding that the Political Party Act be amended to allow local parties, and related amendments have been proposed several times in the National Assembly. Looking at overseas cases, regional parties are allowed in countries with developed party politics, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Germany, and the influence of regional parties in local elections is increasing. Therefore, in terms of realizing grassroots democracy, it is necessary to allow participation of various political groups, including local parties, in local elections. In addition, in the long term, it is necessary to review the constitutional party-related provisions to expand the freedom of political party activities.