Debate over introducing the “best near-winner system” has emerged often in the nation given the deeply-rooted regionalism in Korean politics. The Jeolla provinces are considered to be the stronghold of the former Democratic Party and the Gyeongsang provinces are regarded to be the stronghold of the ruling Grand National Party.

With the introduction of the best near-winner system, the Democratic United Party (DUP) is aiming to have a GNP lawmaker be elected from the Jeolla provinces and a DUP legislator from the Gyeongsang provinces.

Earlier on January 17th, the National Assembly’s special committee on political reform agreed to introduce the system.