Concerns are mounting inside and outside the Democratic Party of Korea after it sharply raised the candidacy deposit for its party convention. Critics say the steep increase, made without any explanation, raises the barrier to entry for young people and political newcomers.
Kim Min-seok, a candidate for Democratic Party leader, wrote on his social media on the 19th that the move was "completely incomprehensible." "Young and disabled candidates must pay 30 million won more for party leader and 17.5 million won more for supreme council member than during Chairman Lee Jae-myung's tenure. What is this? Without any explanation," he said.
He added, "If concerns are about too many candidates flooding in, then examine other qualifications," and said, "No matter how I think about it, this is wrong. The party must take substantive measures." He further remarked, "We are the world's leading mass party that pursues public financing of elections."
Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Gun-tae also voiced concern. Referring to Jeong Min-cheol, a supreme council member candidate and one of the party's young politicians, he said, "I saw candidate Jeong's tears. Are the Democratic Party leader and supreme council member elections ones where you can only run if you have money?"
Lee said, "National Assembly members can receive donations, but political newcomers must raise the deposit themselves. This is because they cannot form a fundraising committee before candidate registration." He added, "It is incomprehensible. In 2024, during Chairman Lee Jae-myung's tenure, the convention deposit was 40 million won for party leader and 15 million won for supreme council member." He pointed out, "But this time it is 100 million won for party leader and 50 million won for supreme council member — a 150% increase for party leader and a 233% increase for supreme council member in just two years."
Kim Hyung-nam, a candidate running for Democratic Party supreme council member, also raised the deposit issue. In a Facebook post the previous day, Kim said, "Even when the price of snacks goes up by 100 won, companies provide an explanation, but our party quadrupled the deposit without any proper explanation." He added, "During Chairman Lee Jae-myung's tenure, the deposit was lowered in the spirit of public financing of elections. This spirit should be further strengthened."
