South Korean Democrats Propose Dissolving National Election Commission via Constitutional Amendment

South Korea's Democratic Party has put forward a significant proposal to dissolve the National Election Commission (NEC) via constitutional amendment, aiming to fundamentally reform the body. The party's 'Task Force for the Protection of National Participatory Rights' announced its plan to change the NEC's name and composition, and to subject it to audits. These proposed reforms stem from various problems exposed by a ballot paper shortage during the June 3 local elections.

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We will change the name and composition of the National Election Commission through constitutional amendment and allow it to be audited.

The task force detailed its plan during a meeting at the National Assembly. Key proposals include altering the NEC's name and organizational structure to better reflect its core mission of protecting citizens' right to participate in elections, rather than merely managing administrative tasks. Park Sang-hyuk, a member of the TF, stated that the new name and structure should align with the fundamental purpose of safeguarding citizens' voting rights.

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The name and structure should have a name and status that fits the fundamental purpose of protecting the people's right to participate, not just simple office work called 'election management'.

Furthermore, the TF intends to strengthen accountability by making the NEC chairperson a full-time position, currently held concurrently by a Supreme Court justice on a non-standing basis. They also propose increasing the number of standing committee members from one to three, assigning them specific roles in election management, investigations, and organizational operations. This aims to ensure internal oversight functions effectively. The task force also plans to pursue constitutional revisions to allow the Board of Audit and Inspection to audit the NEC, which has operated as an independent constitutional body without external audits, thereby ensuring transparency in its finances and operations.

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We will secure transparency in the overall finances and operations of the National Election Commission, which has virtually been a sacred cow.