Yeo Jeon-junwi Approves Amendment to Party Charter Article 80 and Platform... Pushes Through Despite Internal Opposition (Comprehensive)

Article 80 of the Party Constitution, Prosecution → Upgraded to Lower Courts
Resolution on Key Policies Including Sojusung and One Household One House
Final Decision Made by Party Affairs Committee After Emergency Committee Review

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] The Democratic Party's National Convention Preparation Committee (NCPC) has ultimately amended 'Article 80 of the Party Constitution,' which includes sanctions against party officials involved in corruption. This move aims to protect party lawmakers who are under investigation amid expected investigative offensives by the Yoon Seok-yeol administration.

On the 16th, the NCPC held its 10th meeting at the National Assembly Members' Office Building and passed the amendment to the party constitution. Ahead of the meeting, former NCPC Chair Ahn Kyu-baek told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "There is no significant change in the stance to pass the amendment." Regarding internal opposition, he responded, "Will we change the decision just because there is strong criticism? We must amend what needs improvement."

At the meeting, it was reported that the suspension condition in Article 80, Paragraph 1, was raised from 'upon indictment' to 'if convicted of imprisonment or higher in a lower court.' Spokesperson Jeon Yong-gi explained after the meeting, "From the opposition's perspective, many suspicions and various issues will be raised against the government and ruling party, and there is a sufficient threat of arbitrary indictments under the pretext of political oppression. Suspending party duties solely based on indictment is somewhat excessive, so we made this judgment."

Additionally, in Paragraph 3, which states, "If it is recognized that there are unjust reasons such as political oppression, the Central Party Ethics Committee may cancel or suspend disciplinary actions after a resolution," the amendment added that the Supreme Council's resolution can also cancel or suspend disciplinary actions. Spokesperson Jeon elaborated, "Initially, the Ethics Committee investigates whether political oppression is involved upon indictment, but now the Supreme Council can also investigate and resolve this, providing a remedy."

The amendment also includes a clause that the suspension effect in Paragraph 1 is nullified if acquittal is rendered in the second or third trial.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, the NCPC changed expressions in the party platform from 'income-led growth' to 'inclusive growth' and from 'one household, one house' to 'actual owners and residents.' Chair Ahn previously explained, "As the opposition, it is appropriate to adopt a broad direction rather than specifying particular government policies in the platform," adding, "Many fellow lawmakers agreed with this direction in the survey." The expression 'basic income,' a pledge of candidate Lee Jae-myung, was also excluded after intense debate.

Despite the NCPC's decision, the Democratic Party reportedly engaged in another round of heated debate at a lawmakers' meeting held simultaneously. Party leader candidate Park Yong-jin told reporters before entering the meeting, "The NCPC seems to be passing it by resolution, but objections should be raised," adding, "At the lawmakers' meeting, we have discussed all sorts of issues happening in South Korea." In contrast, Chair Ahn rebutted, "There has never been such a thing regarding the party constitution amendment," stating that it is a matter for the NCPC or leadership to decide. It was reported that the NCPC submitted only the platform amendment, not the party constitution amendment, as an agenda item to the lawmakers' meeting.

Emergency Response Committee Chair Woo Sang-ho also expressed a clear intention to amend Article 80 of the party constitution during a radio interview, saying, "Some say this is to 'protect Lee Jae-myung,' but more lawmakers likely to be indicted are pro-Moon Jae-in faction members." Regarding the platform amendment, he firmly stated, "These should not originally be included in the platform." Once the NCPC submits the amendments to the party constitution and platform, they are expected to be finalized after the Emergency Response Committee's approval and the Party Affairs Committee's final decision.