First Meeting of Bipartisan Political Reform Committee
Official Launch Scheduled for the 30th
Substantive Discussions by the Political Reform Special Committee, Group to Serve as a Public Forum
[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The "Bipartisan Political Reform Lawmakers' Group" for electoral system reform and other issues will officially launch on the 30th of this month. The bipartisan political reform group, which includes over 70 lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties, will play a role in supporting the discussions on political reform by the Special Committee on Political Reform.
On the 16th, the "Bipartisan Political Reform Lawmakers' Group" held an operations committee meeting at the National Assembly to conduct a preparatory meeting ahead of its official launch.
The Bipartisan Political Reform Lawmakers' Group was established to discuss electoral district reform and other issues, proposed by nine senior lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties for political reform. Prior to this proposal by senior lawmakers, the bipartisan political reform group of about 50 members from both parties, which had been discussing political reform measures since September last year, joined the new Bipartisan Political Reform Lawmakers' Group. Currently, approximately 70 lawmakers have joined the group, and there are plans to increase its membership further.
This group is expected to serve as a discussion body to gather lawmakers' consensus during the electoral district reform discussions by the National Assembly's Special Committee on Political Reform, thereby creating momentum to push forward political reform. The Special Committee on Political Reform will function as the body that practically discusses the electoral system, while the Bipartisan Political Reform Lawmakers' Group will undertake the tasks of collecting opinions and promoting public discourse throughout the National Assembly.
After the meeting, Lee Jong-bae, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, told reporters, "(The group) does not have decision-making authority, and if opinions are gathered, the Special Committee on Political Reform will make the decisions." He added, "We will gather opinions, consult with the leadership of each party, and once opinions are formed, unify them for discussion and decision by the Special Committee on Political Reform."
At the event explaining the significance of the group's launch, Shim Sang-jung, a lawmaker from the Justice Party, emphasized that the Bipartisan Political Reform Lawmakers' Group must serve as the driving force for reform. Shim, who served as the chairperson of the Special Committee on Political Reform in the 20th National Assembly, said, "There has been much criticism that electoral reform repeatedly failed due to politicians' vested interests, but that is only half true." She continued, "Given the nature of electoral reform, there was insufficient thorough discussion and a lack of strong leadership to effectively guide the process. This cannot be achieved by a single leader alone." She added, "We will support the bipartisan group to present reform proposals that densely coordinate interests, firmly establish centripetal force, and ensure that electoral reform is achieved."
Kim Jong-min, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party, said, "I served as the Democratic Party's secretary in the previous Special Committee on Political Reform, and as you know, that committee ended with a problematic election law, which can be considered a blot in our history." He added, "If the current Special Committee on Political Reform successfully gathers public opinion from many lawmakers, the general public, and experts, I believe the goal of political reform can be achieved." Through efforts to seek public consensus via the group, he intends to drive political reform discussions. Kim said, "What meaning does it have to be the captain of a ship called the Republic of Korea if it is sinking? It is the duty of politicians to repair this ship so it does not sink and reaches the shore safely. I hope to achieve the goal to the end with this resolve."
Lawmaker Jung Sung-ho expressed his determination regarding electoral reform, saying, "I hope that instead of repeating strategic gains and losses, something will be created this time where the ruling and opposition parties compromise, the public feels reassured, and the role of restoring people’s livelihoods is fulfilled." He added, "Personally, whatever conclusion is reached, I will follow the will of the National Assembly."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
