Lee Jae-myung, representative of the Democratic Party of Korea, proposed on the 10th the 'introduction of a recall system for members of the National Assembly.' The situation is one of severe social polarization amid the political turmoil surrounding the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, with the centrist bloc, which is often considered the 'casting vote' in various polls, drifting. The key is to directly dismiss public officials who fail to perform their duties properly. Within the party, there is a stance that this is to uphold a presidential campaign promise, but there are also criticisms that it aims to exploit political hatred ahead of an early presidential election.
On this day, during a representative speech at the National Assembly negotiation group, Lee stated, "It seems that politicians do politics, but in the end, it is the people who do it. The Democratic Party will be reborn as a loyal tool of the sovereign and will complete the unquenchable 'light revolution'" and added, "As the first step to broadly open the door of the 'democratic republic,' we will introduce the recall system for members of the National Assembly."
He referred to the political climate after the Dec. 3 emergency martial law, saying, "There is rampant baseless distrust and violence against constitutional institutions, including the courts, the Constitutional Court, and the National Election Commission. Anti-constitutional and constitutional destruction forces that deny constitutional principles have emerged into reality" and stated, "The Democratic Party will form a 'coalition for constitutional protection' with all those who respect the values of a democratic republic and will fight against the forces of constitutional destruction."
The recall system allows for elected officials, such as members of the National Assembly, to be dismissed through a public vote during their term. It is considered a means for the public to directly oversee politicians. In local government, it can be applied through a residents' recall system, and for party leaders, through a party member recall system. It attracts attention for complementing the limitations of representative democracy and increasing the level of political participation among the public.
However, there are legal issues as well. According to the constitution, elected powers are entrusted with the 'authority' to pursue national interests based on conscience, and the recall system could violate this principle. There is also considerable concern that it may be abused as a means of 'removing political opponents.' In the current situation of severe political division, it could easily become a tool that maximizes the confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties.
According to the National Assembly's legislation information system, there are four bills related to the recall system that have been proposed in the 22nd National Assembly. All were introduced shortly after the Dec. 3 emergency martial law situation. In one bill proposed by Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Jin-sook, it allows for recalling lawmakers who intentionally abstain from voting on significant issues related to safeguarding constitutional order such as impeachment. This was aimed at lawmakers from the People Power Party who did not participate in the first vote on the impeachment of President Yoon last month on the 7th.
◇Ruling party: "You broke the promise of the right to not be arrested… Lee should be the first recall vote"
Lee is aiming to take the lead on the issue of 'political reform.' However, it seems difficult to expedite legislation at the National Assembly level. This is because Lee has already sparked controversy by breaking his promise regarding the 'right of National Assembly members not to be arrested' and is also facing trial on various criminal charges. Kim Dae-sik, the floor spokesperson for the People Power Party, stated after the regular session, "The proposal is welcomed, but action is important," targeting Lee, who violated the past privilege renunciation.
The People Power Party's pro-Han Dong-hoon group, 'Under73 (politicians born in or after 1973),' suggested designating Lee as the first target of the recall system. They stated, "Let's introduce the recall system for members of the National Assembly by agreement between the ruling and opposition parties in February and conduct a vote designating Lee Jae-myung as the first target," adding, "Former representative Han Dong-hoon also mentioned during his candidacy that we should consider introducing the recall system when the Democratic Party pushed for impeachment of the prosecutor, which could be viewed as abuse of power."
A Democratic Party official noted, "Political polarization has intensified since the martial law, and there has been increased hatred or fatigue regarding politics itself," adding, "It was also mentioned in the context of keeping the presidential campaign promise regarding the recall system." However, they continued, "There are very few countries worldwide that have adopted this system for a reason" and noted, "We should also consider the risk of it becoming an outlet for political hatred in the current political climate. This is something we should discuss on a National Assembly level."