The Democratic Party of Korea's leadership emphasized on the 8th that they would process controversial legislation, including the 'Broadcasting Three Laws,' which had been discarded due to the exercise of the veto right during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. Additionally, they stated they would expedite the legislative process for the amendment to the 'Development of Inter-Korean Relations Act' to prohibit the distribution of leaflets.
Jin Sung-jun, chair of the Democratic Party of Korea's policy committee, mentioned during a party strategy meeting held in the National Assembly that he would initiate practical negotiations to launch the People's Common Promises Promotion Council, referencing discussions from the previous day's meeting between the policy committee chairs of both parties. He added, 'I will ensure thorough consultations so that we can achieve specific legislative results during the July extraordinary session.'
He continued, 'Above all, it is important to open pathways for people's livelihoods blocked by the veto exercised by the Yoon Suk-yeol administration,' emphasizing the 'Broadcasting Three Laws.'
He stated, 'The Broadcasting Three Laws are laws aimed at transferring control of broadcasting from the government to the public. It proposes that a CEO candidate recommendation committee, composed of more than 100 ordinary citizens, recommend multiple candidates, with the board electing one through a special majority vote for appointment.' He added, 'It is a law that the opposition should take the lead in legislating, rather than the governing party.'
He emphasized, 'The Democratic Party of Korea will do its utmost to legislate for the people without being bound to the vested interests of the ruling party,' stating that processing the laws, such as the Yellow Envelope Act and the Grain Management Act, previously rejected by the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, is the first step in restoring democracy and revitalizing people's livelihoods.
The Broadcasting Three Laws entail increasing the board members of KBS from the current 11 to 15, the members of the Korea Communications Commission (major shareholder of MBC) from 9 to 13, and diversifying the recommendation entities. It is one of the representative bills on which the Yoon Suk-yeol administration exercised its veto, calling it an 'attempt to seize broadcasting.' The amendment was approved at the plenary session of the Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee of the National Assembly, led by the Democratic Party of Korea, the day before.
President Lee Jae-myung reportedly expressed during a dinner with the Democratic Party's National Assembly committee chairs that the proposed amendment to the Broadcasting Three Laws being pushed by the ruling party aligns with his intent. It has been sensed that the party's leadership wanted to slow down the process of the Broadcasting Three Laws, but it appears that the positions between the presidential office and the ruling party were finalized at the dinner the day before.
In addition to the Broadcasting Three Laws, the Democratic Party plans to address ▲ the Yellow Envelope Act (amendment to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act) ▲ the Four Agricultural Laws (including the Grain Management Act and the Agricultural and Fishery Product Price Stabilization Act) ▲ amendments to the Commercial Act (expansion of concentrated voting and separation of election for audit committee members) ▲ the Educational Finance Grant-in-Aid Act ▲ the Elementary and Secondary Education Act ▲ and related legislation for the Safe Freight Transport System during this July extraordinary session.
They also plan to expedite legislation for the amendment to the Development of Inter-Korean Relations Act.
Jin, the policy committee chair, stated, 'We will also work to restore peace on the Korean Peninsula compromised by the Yoon Suk-yeol administration,' emphasizing that after President Lee Jae-myung took office and the government banned broadcasts from loudspeakers to North Korea and the distribution of leaflets, North Korea has also shown movements in response.
He added, 'The National Assembly will also accelerate the processing of the amendment to the Development of Inter-Korean Relations Act to alleviate tensions in border areas.'
Kim Byung-ki, acting leader of the party and floor leader, said, 'Today, the families of abductees and Paju City are scheduled to jointly announce the cessation of the distribution of leaflets to North Korea,' and stated, 'The Democratic Party will actively support and legislate for the government's efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula and improve inter-Korean relations.'
The Constitutional Court ruled in September 2023 that the law regarding the Development of Inter-Korean Relations (the Anti-leaflet Act) is unconstitutional. It pointed out that the penal provision imposing up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won for leaflet distribution in the military demarcation line area infringes on freedom of expression. However, it concluded that the legitimacy of the legislation itself is recognized for the safety of life and body of residents in border areas. In response, ruling party lawmakers have proposed amendments to the penal provisions to eliminate unconstitutional elements.