Floor Leader Jeong Jeom-sik attending the policy general meeting of lawmakers [Seoul=Yonhap News]

On the 3rd, the People Power Party planned to adopt as a party platform a bill to reform the National Election Commission (NEC), which triggered the ballot shortage crisis during the June 3 local elections, during a policy general meeting of lawmakers; however, the adoption did not take place.

Choi Su-jin, the chief spokesperson for the floor leader, met with reporters immediately after the general meeting and stated, "The adoption as a party platform did not proceed today," adding, "As the final details have not yet been settled, we will continue to gather opinions and proceed with (the discussions)."

Chief Spokesperson Choi explained that the reform of the NEC involves amending 81 legal provisions spread across various laws, saying, "Please view this as a process of reviewing the entire framework."

When asked if there were any criticisms regarding deficiencies in the bill during the meeting, she replied, "There were," and explained, "We have decided to post it in the lawmakers' (group Telegram chat) room to continue receiving feedback."

On June 23, the People Power Party launched the "Special Committee for Fact-Finding on the Infringement of People’s Suffrage on June 3 and NEC Reform," chaired by four-term lawmaker Park Dae-chul, to discuss what they call the "Suffrage Protection Bill" to reform the NEC.

The special committee has been reviewing plans to include the abolition of the early voting system, the consolidation of election commissions at each level, the establishment of an independent inspection body separate from the NEC, and the introduction of new protections for whistleblowers within the NEC.

Meanwhile, Floor Leader Jeong Jeom-sik said in his opening remarks at the general meeting, "The momentum that allowed us to push for the NEC reform to protect suffrage, following the parliamentary investigation into the NEC and the pursuit of a special counsel, came from the dedication and efforts of the young people and citizens who guarded Olympic Park for the past three months." He added, "I would like to take this opportunity to express my respect and gratitude for the unwavering struggle of these young people."

Floor Leader Jeong also pointed out, "The Democratic Party of Korea is subtly abusing the NEC issue as a pretext for a constitutional amendment for consecutive terms, claiming that everything can be solved by a 'one-point' constitutional amendment that allows the Board of Audit and Inspection to audit the NEC."

He continued, "As long as President Lee Jae-myung's five trials are not concluded, discussions on constitutional amendment are impossible, and we will boldly reform the NEC within the framework of the current Constitution."

Representative Jang Dong-hyeok did not attend the general meeting, and only about 60 lawmakers were present.