Democratic Party Convention deposit reduction under review… controversy over high amounts spreads

The Democratic Party of Korea's central election management committee will discuss ways to lower the deposits for candidates running for party leader and supreme council member at the August 17 national convention. On the 14th, the party set the deposits at 100 million won for party leader and 50 million won for supreme council member, but as the amounts were more than twice last year's level, criticism has continued inside and outside the party that they are excessive. Acting party leader Han Byungdo said he would come up with a reasonable alternative so that money does not become a barrier to entering politics, and young candidates as well as some lawmakers within the party also agreed on the need to lower the amounts. However, there are also counterarguments that caution is needed due to concerns over an overcrowded field of candidates.