South Korea's National Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution to form a special committee on political reform tasked with redrawing electoral districts ahead of the June 3 local elections next year.
Lawmakers approved the resolution with 223 votes in favor, 14 against and 7 abstentions out of 244 members present. The special committee will comprise 9 members from the Democratic Party of Korea, 8 from the People Power Party and 1 from non-negotiating blocs.
Under the Public Official Election Act, electoral redistricting must be completed at least 180 days before an election. With the legal deadline already passed, both ruling and opposition parties are expected to expedite the redistricting process.
The committee is also expected to begin discussions on easing requirements for forming negotiating blocs and issues related to local party chapters.
Ahead of the vote, leaders of minor parties spoke in opposition, arguing that allocating only one seat to non-negotiating blocs contradicts the committee's purpose.
"All parliamentary parties chosen by the people in the last general election should be guaranteed equal participation," said Han Chang-min, leader of the Social Democratic Party. "One seat for non-negotiating blocs is not participation—it's just window dressing."
Yoon Jong-oh, floor leader of the Progressive Party, also raised concerns. "Is this really reform, or just putting on a show?" he said. "The special committee should be reconstituted to include all parliamentary parties."
