The Legislation and Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly decided to begin reviewing the special counsel bill regarding the shortage of ballot papers during the June 3 local elections today (July 27).

During today's full meeting, the Judiciary Committee referred a total of four special counsel bills concerning the Election Commission, including party-line bills proposed respectively by the Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party, as well as bills respectively introduced by Democratic Party lawmaker Baek Hye-ryun and People Power Party lawmaker Kim Eun-hye.

All four bills share the purpose of investigating the ballot paper shortage incident that occurred in the last local elections, but they differ in the scope of investigation and the size of the special counsel team.

The Democratic Party bill, proposed by lawmaker Han Byeong-do, focuses on allegations such as dereliction of duty and abuse of power by related agencies including the Election Commission regarding election management failures and the ballot paper shortage.

On the other hand, the People Power Party bill, proposed by lawmaker Yoo Sang-bum, places emphasis on uncovering general suspicions of electoral fraud.

It allows for the investigation of not only the so-called "twin vote counts" that occurred in the June 3 local elections, but also all cases uncovered during the course of the investigation.

There are also differences in the scale of the special counsel and the investigation period.

The Democratic Party proposes a team consisting of up to 30 dispatched prosecutors, 70 dispatched public officials, and 50 special investigators, limiting the investigation period to a 30-day extension allowed only once.

The People Power Party sets the scale at up to 15 dispatched prosecutors, 130 dispatched public officials, and 100 special investigators, and allows the investigation period to be extended twice by 30 days each, totaling 60 days, if necessary.

While the recommendation methods stated in the four bills differ, the ruling and opposition parties previously agreed on the 21st to form a public recommendation committee to recommend special counsel candidates.

The Judiciary Committee plans to refer these bills to the Bill Review Subcommittee for full-scale deliberation.

At today's full meeting, six additional amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act containing contents related to the abolition of prosecutors' supplementary investigation rights were also tabled.

These bills are scheduled to be reviewed in conjunction with previously referred bills currently under review in the subcommittee: bills proposed by Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-min, Rebuilding Korea Party lawmaker Park Eun-jung, Rebuilding Korea Party lawmaker Cha Kyu-keun, and the Democratic Party Criminal Procedure Act Amendment Task Force (TF).

The Democratic Party aims to process both the Election Commission special counsel bill and the Criminal Procedure Act amendments at the National Assembly plenary session on the 30th.

Chief Spokesperson Kang Jun-hyun met with reporters after the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly today and explained, "The floor leadership appears to have a strong will regarding the Criminal Procedure Act amendment, and regarding the Election Commission special counsel bill, discussions are leaning toward the necessity of having a process where the ruling and opposition parties reach an agreement."

(Photo: Yonhap News)