The National Assembly's Special Committee on Political Reform held its second meeting in two months but failed to reach conclusions on key issues including electoral redistricting for the June 3 local elections, drawing criticism that meaningful discussions have yet to begin despite the elections being just over 80 days away.
Under the Public Official Election Act, electoral redistricting must be completed 180 days before an election.
The committee convened at the National Assembly on March 13 to discuss redistricting and political reform legislation but adjourned without resolution. The meeting was the first since January 13, when the committee was formed.
"We must all share responsibility for the delayed schedule," said Committee Chairman Song Ki-hun of the Democratic Party of Korea. "This requires in-depth discussion in the committee. I ask the floor leaders from both parties to coordinate future schedules."
Both ruling and opposition parties emphasized the urgent need for redistricting. Rep. Seo Il-jun of the People Power Party, newly elected as opposition floor leader for the committee, said, "With only 83 days until local elections, candidates in the field are extremely busy. We will work to pass legislation that meets public expectations."
Rep. Yoon Kun-young, the ruling party's floor leader, responded, "I fully agree that we must provide answers to the many people waiting in the field. We need to quickly resolve the redistricting issue. Since Rep. Seo has expressed his commitment, let's begin discussions now."
Committee members called for a concrete deadline. Rep. Im Mi-ae of the Democratic Party said, "This is only the second plenary session since the committee was formed, and subcommittees haven't even been operating. I don't know what to tell the candidates in the field. There's no roadmap."
Rep. Park Deok-heum of the People Power Party added, "We need to establish a schedule roadmap to help prospective candidates in local areas. We must give them a message about when this will be done."
Rep. Kim Seung-soo of the People Power Party noted, "The legal deadline was six months before the election, which has long passed."
Both parties continued discussions in a closed subcommittee session but failed to reach a conclusion. After the meeting, Rep. Seo told reporters, "We did not set a specific deadline. We agreed to hold another subcommittee meeting next Thursday, the 19th."
The committee also saw tensions over political system reforms, including the revival of district party chapters. Bills to amend the Political Parties Act, Political Funds Act, and Public Official Election Act were introduced to restore district chapters abolished in 2004. District chapters were subordinate organizations under central party headquarters and predecessors to current regional committees and party member councils. The proposed bills would allow establishment of regional parties and fundraising by regional party support associations.
Rep. Jung Chun-saeng of the Rebuilding Korea Party criticized the agenda, saying, "Not a single political reform bill jointly demanded by the four progressive reform parties was introduced. Of the 28 bills submitted, 27 are about reviving district chapters. Is reviving district chapters political reform?"
Jung declared he would boycott the subcommittee, warning that "political innovation is in danger of collapsing before the vested interests of the two major parties."
Rep. Yoon countered, "I find it difficult to agree, and there seems to be a misunderstanding. The bills Rep. Jung mentioned are for Subcommittee 1, and today's meeting is Subcommittee 2. We can discuss when Subcommittee 1's schedule is set."
