Jung Jeom-sik, floor leader of the People Power Party, speaks during a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly on July 2. [Photo: Yonhap News]
Jung Jeom-sik, the floor leader of the People Power Party, stated on July 2 that the Democratic Party and the National Election Commission have a deeply intertwined relationship. He argued that if the Democratic Party is sincere about reforming the Election Commission, it should delegate the authority to recommend a special investigation to the opposition party.
During a meeting at the National Assembly, Jung revealed that on the day of the June 3 local elections, Choi Young-kyu, chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, made a call to former Election Commission Chair Noh Tae-ack, requesting that he promote measures to prevent double voting. Jung criticized this as an unreasonable act for a member of the National Assembly to make a personal request to the head of the Election Commission on election day.
He further remarked, "Such extraordinary insensitivity is likely a key qualification for Choi to regain the position of committee chair, as only through such insensitivity can one attempt a reckless legislative surge in the latter half of the term."
Jung's assertion is that the close ties between the Democratic Party and the Election Commission warrant the party's relinquishment of the authority to recommend a special investigation. He questioned, "If this 'Election Commission-affiliated party' recommends a special investigation, can the public trust the investigation results?" He suggested that Choi should resign from the committee chair and that the authority to recommend a special investigation should be given to the opposition party, calling it a minimal act of conscience.
Kim Min-soo, a senior member of the party, raised concerns about the national security law violations of Jin Sung-jun, a Democratic Party member recently elected as chair of the National Defense Committee. He expressed outrage, stating, "National defense is about protecting the lives of citizens and is the primary reason for the existence of the state. How much must the security of South Korea be compromised before it is deemed acceptable?"
Kim urged a reconsideration of whether someone with a history of violating the national security law should hold the position of National Defense Committee chair, and he appealed to the public to reflect on whether the current state of South Korea can ensure their safety.
Meanwhile, Representative Jang Dong-hyuk was absent from the Supreme Council meeting due to personal reasons.
During a meeting at the National Assembly, Jung revealed that on the day of the June 3 local elections, Choi Young-kyu, chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, made a call to former Election Commission Chair Noh Tae-ack, requesting that he promote measures to prevent double voting. Jung criticized this as an unreasonable act for a member of the National Assembly to make a personal request to the head of the Election Commission on election day.
He further remarked, "Such extraordinary insensitivity is likely a key qualification for Choi to regain the position of committee chair, as only through such insensitivity can one attempt a reckless legislative surge in the latter half of the term."
Jung's assertion is that the close ties between the Democratic Party and the Election Commission warrant the party's relinquishment of the authority to recommend a special investigation. He questioned, "If this 'Election Commission-affiliated party' recommends a special investigation, can the public trust the investigation results?" He suggested that Choi should resign from the committee chair and that the authority to recommend a special investigation should be given to the opposition party, calling it a minimal act of conscience.
Kim Min-soo, a senior member of the party, raised concerns about the national security law violations of Jin Sung-jun, a Democratic Party member recently elected as chair of the National Defense Committee. He expressed outrage, stating, "National defense is about protecting the lives of citizens and is the primary reason for the existence of the state. How much must the security of South Korea be compromised before it is deemed acceptable?"
Kim urged a reconsideration of whether someone with a history of violating the national security law should hold the position of National Defense Committee chair, and he appealed to the public to reflect on whether the current state of South Korea can ensure their safety.
Meanwhile, Representative Jang Dong-hyuk was absent from the Supreme Council meeting due to personal reasons.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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