Yeo Innovation Committee to Promote Law on Summoning Members of the National Assembly and Banning Satellite Parties

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] The Democratic Party's Party Innovation Promotion Committee is pushing for measures such as a recall system for constituency members of the National Assembly and a law banning satellite parties for proportional representation.

On the 19th, the Innovation Committee announced the third innovation plan containing these measures. First, they decided to promote a recall system for constituency members of the National Assembly if they violate Article 46 of the Constitution, which includes the duty of integrity, allowing recall with the consent of more than 15% of total voters, and recommended the enactment of related laws to the party.

According to the Innovation Committee, the recall of constituency members of the National Assembly requires a vote of more than one-third of eligible voters and a majority of valid votes. However, the recall period excludes cases within six months of the start of the member's term or within one year of the remaining term, and re-recall for the same reason during the term is prohibited.

Regarding the exclusion of proportional representation members from the recall target, Jang Kyung-tae, the chairperson of the Innovation Committee, explained, "It is very difficult to set the number of claimants and quorum for resolution, and recall of proportional members can also be done through party-level measures or disciplinary actions by the National Assembly Ethics Committee."

The Innovation Committee also decided to prevent the emergence of satellite parties for proportional representation like those in the 21st general election by amending the Public Official Election Act. Additionally, they proposed to the party the introduction of a 'one-strike-out' system for candidates wishing to be nominated. This involves specifying disqualifications for nomination, such as 'violent crimes' under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes and sex crimes, in the party constitution and regulations, and conducting thorough verification.