Special counsel to investigate causes such as the shortage of ballot papers in the June 3 local elections… Submitted in the afternoon after wording refinement by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee
National Assembly investigation special committee period on the Election Commission also extended by 30 days to recount ballot boxes at Olympic Park
Expected to be brought to a 'super plenary session' on the 30th along with the supplementary investigation power abolition bill and fast-track shortening bill
The ruling and opposition parties have suddenly agreed to introduce a special counsel (independent counsel) to investigate the shortage of ballot papers during the 9th local elections. In addition, they reached a consensus to extend the period of the parliamentary investigation into the National Election Commission (NEC) by 30 days.
According to political circles on the 30th, Cheon Jun-ho, senior deputy floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kim Seung-su, senior deputy floor leader of the People Power Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly and announced the agreement.
The official name of the bill was finalized as the 'Act on the Appointment of a Special Counsel to Uncover the Truth Regarding Suspicions of Infringement on Citizens' Right to Vote, Such as the Ballot Paper Shortage in the 9th Local Elections.' The two parties have narrowed their differences over the special counsel recommendation method, investigation targets, and scope, which had been the biggest sticking points. The finalized agreement will be delivered to the secretaries of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee of both parties for detailed wording work, and then submitted and processed at the plenary session scheduled for this afternoon.
The rival parties also suddenly agreed to extend the activity period of the NEC Parliamentary Investigation Special Committee, which expires today, by 30 days. The aim is to prepare for the recount procedure of ballot boxes stored at the Seoul Olympic Park counting station and to uncover additional suspicions related to the NEC that continue to be raised.
Accordingly, at the National Assembly plenary session held on the afternoon of the 30th, key contentious bills are expected to be submitted all at once, including the NEC Special Counsel Act and the parliamentary investigation extension bill, as well as the Criminal Procedure Act amendment for the 'complete abolition of supplementary investigation powers' and the National Assembly Act amendment to shorten the 'fast-track' period, which have emerged as core flashpoints in recent politics.