'Resolution of Banner Lawlessness' Election Law Amendment Passed in National Assembly (Comprehensive)

'Ban on Banner Installation Shortened to 120 Days'
About One Year After Constitutional Court's Decision of Constitutional Incompatibility

The 'Public Official Election Act Amendment Bill,' which relaxes regulations on campaign banners and other promotional materials during election campaigns, passed the National Assembly on the 24th. This is expected to resolve the 'lawless election banner' situation that arose after the Constitutional Court ruled some provisions unconstitutional or incompatible with the Constitution last year, and no new bill was prepared by the legislative deadline at the end of last month.

On the same day, the National Assembly approved the 'Alternative Bill for Partial Amendment of the Public Official Election Act' in the plenary session with 151 votes in favor, 16 against, and 22 abstentions out of 189 members present.

Speaker Jinpyo Kim is striking the gavel at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 24th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The amendment shortens the prohibited period for installing banners from the previous '180 days before the election day' to '120 days before the election day.' It also stipulates a ban on holding gatherings or meetings during the election period that aim to influence the election, including 'hometown associations, clan meetings, alumni meetings, unity rallies, outings, and gatherings with more than 25 participants.'

Additionally, the amendment includes provisions to ease restrictions on election campaigning, such as allowing ordinary voters to participate in election campaigns using accessories like sashes.

Earlier, the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee held a full meeting in the afternoon and approved a revised version of the Public Official Election Act amendment bill proposed by the chairman of the Political Reform Special Committee (Jeonggae Teukwi).

Although there was no consensus on Article 103, Paragraph 3, which restricts meetings and gatherings during the election period, the amendment was approved after negotiations between the ruling and opposition floor leaders resumed the full meeting during the plenary session.

In July last year, the Constitutional Court ruled some provisions of the Public Official Election Act unconstitutional or incompatible with the Constitution, which banned political banners and posters from 180 days before the election day. The court reasoned that the broad restrictions on gatherings and meetings infringed on political expression and the freedom of election campaigning.

The election law amendment bill was delayed due to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee's review of the system and wording, and the legislative revision set as a deadline by the Constitutional Court in July was not realized.