Public Official Election Act Amendment Allowing Lee's Acquittal Passes Judiciary Committee

Removal of the Term "Act" from the Elements of the Crime of Disseminating False Information

An amendment to the Public Official Election Act, which includes provisions that could allow Lee Jaemyung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, to be acquitted (due to the inability to prosecute following the repeal of the relevant legal provision), has passed the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee under the initiative of the opposition party.

Jeong Chungrae, Chairman of the National Assembly Judiciary Committee, is presiding over the full meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly on May 14, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

On May 14, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly approved the partial amendment to the Public Official Election Act in a full committee meeting, with 11 votes in favor and 5 against. The bill removes the term "act" from the elements constituting the crime of disseminating false information under the Public Official Election Act.

If the amendment to the Public Official Election Act passes the plenary session of the National Assembly, candidate Lee, who received a remand verdict from the Supreme Court on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, could be acquitted in this case.

Kim Yongbin, Secretary-General of the National Election Commission, commented on the amendment, stating that whether or not to include the term "act" is at the legislative discretion of the National Assembly and is a matter of legislative policy.

Meanwhile, on this day, members of the People Power Party belonging to the Judiciary Committee attended the meeting holding placards with the phrases "parliamentary dictatorship" and "judicial oppression."