The Democratic Party's Innovation Committee Reintroduces Controversial Bill for Retroactive Application of 'Three-Term Limit' Ban

"Will Reintroduce Amendment for Immediate Application Including Retroactive Effect"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] The Democratic Party's Party Innovation Promotion Committee announced on the 3rd that it will withdraw and reintroduce the 'Law Prohibiting More Than Three Consecutive Terms in the Same Electoral District (Partial Amendment to the Public Official Election Act - Amendment Bill)' which had been controversial for its loopholes.

The trigger for the reintroduction of the bill was the amendment's supplementary provision stating that "at the time of enforcement, members of the National Assembly in the electoral district shall be considered as having been elected for the first time when calculating the number of terms under the amended regulations." This clause had been criticized as a loophole that treated multi-term lawmakers as first-term lawmakers to avoid term limits. In response, the Innovation Committee decided to revise the amendment to allow immediate application, including retroactive effect, and reintroduce it.

Jang Kyung-tae, head of the Innovation Committee, held a press conference at the National Assembly in the afternoon and said, "As the main proposer of the restriction on exceeding three consecutive terms, I will withdraw the proposal as of today," adding, "And I announce that we will reintroduce the bill including retroactive application for immediate enforcement." He also urged, "The People Power Party should not criticize this as a loophole but show genuine interest in legislative activities and repeatedly urged that it be immediately discussed in the currently open Political Reform Special Committee."

When asked if retroactive application might be unconstitutional, Rep. Jang emphasized, "We are showing the determination to propose the bill even at the risk of unconstitutionality," adding, "This was discussed within the Innovation Committee. We are currently withdrawing the proposal and plan to reintroduce it."

He continued, "The People Power Party has raised suspicions that this is a loophole, but I hope they will dispel those doubts and show sincerity so that it can pass immediately in the Political Reform Special Committee," and added, "They should answer whether their position has changed or remains the same since the Emergency Response Committee in August 2020."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.