"Limiting Immunity and Non-Arrest Privileges... Preventing Satellite Parties"
Urging People Power Party to Join
[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] The Democratic Party's Party Innovation Promotion Committee announced on the 27th that it will propose seven bills related to political change, dismantling vested interests, and strengthening political ethics, including restrictions on exceeding three terms for members of the National Assembly in the same electoral district.
On the same day, the Innovation Committee held a press conference at the central party office titled 'Follow-up Legislation on Innovation Proposals' and stated, "The political circles, including the Democratic Party, especially the 21st National Assembly, must approach the public with reflection and introspection, break down the political grammar of Yeouido, and create a political grammar for the people."
The main contents of the bills the Innovation Committee announced to propose include ▲ restriction on exceeding three terms for members of the National Assembly in the same electoral district ▲ limitation of parliamentary immunity and arrest immunity for members of the National Assembly ▲ prevention of satellite party formation ▲ enactment of a law on the recall of members of the National Assembly by the people ▲ relaxation of deposit and refund conditions for young candidates ▲ establishment of recommendation subsidies for youth ▲ prohibition of receiving congratulatory and condolence money by district members of the National Assembly and local government heads.
Earlier, on the 6th, the Innovation Committee announced the first innovation proposal centered on banning candidacy beyond three terms in the same electoral district, followed by proposals on the 12th regarding 'limitation of parliamentary immunity,' 'limitation of arrest immunity for members of the National Assembly,' and 'prohibition of receiving congratulatory and condolence money by district members of the National Assembly and local government heads.'
Regarding the restriction on exceeding three terms for members of the National Assembly in the same electoral district, the Innovation Committee emphasized, "It will encourage the political circles to voluntarily relinquish vested interests and open new paths for capable individuals who find it difficult to enter politics."
Additionally, they explained, "To limit parliamentary immunity and arrest immunity, we will propose amendments to the National Assembly Act to establish a permanent Ethics Committee, create an Ethics Investigation Committee, and form a citizen jury to promptly investigate clear false statements by members of the National Assembly and ensure proper judgment." This aims to eliminate controversies over shielded National Assembly and protecting insiders, making the political circles stricter before the public.
Furthermore, "To prevent the formation of satellite parties, when a party recommends candidates, if the party recommends more than 50% of the district seats, it must obligatorily recommend 50% of the proportional representation seats, thereby eliminating illegal and unfair practices," they added.
In accordance with Article 46 of the Constitution, they also announced plans to enact a law on the recall of members of the National Assembly by the people, allowing a recall to be initiated with the consent of more than 15% of voters if a district member violates the duty of integrity. The Innovation Committee explained, "This allows the public to hold district members politically accountable through direct voting," and "It will realize direct democracy and enable members of the National Assembly to practice more humble and grounded politics aligned with the public's expectations."
They also plan to propose bills to lower the barriers for young politicians to run for public office and promote youth political participation. The Innovation Committee's proposal includes reducing the deposit burden by 50% for candidates aged 39 or younger, relaxing refund conditions to fully refund deposits if they receive more than 10% of votes and refund 50% if they receive more than 5%. Additionally, they emphasized establishing recommendation subsidies that distribute and provide subsidies to parties recommending young candidates according to the recommendation ratio to support youth political development.
Moreover, to foster a political culture free from giving or receiving gifts, they announced plans to propose amendments to the Public Official Election Act prohibiting district members of the National Assembly, local government heads, and their spouses from receiving congratulatory or condolence money from local residents on occasions such as celebrations or funerals.
Jang Kyung-tae, chairman of the Party Innovation Promotion Committee, said at the press conference, "We want to show that the innovation proposals will not remain mere words but will be promptly implemented through legislation," and added, "We ask the People Power Party to respond so that politics can gain the trust of the people."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
