Opposition reform committee suggests members’ right to impeach chairman

The reform committee of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy announced on Friday a third batch of reform bills that calls for introduction of "recall by members," which allows party members to impeach elected officials including the party chairman. Committee Chairman Kim Sang-gon said, “In our current judgment, we think that the party chairman should also be subjected to the measure.” Critics have said that the measure is a significantly progressive reform measure, which heralds a bumpy road ahead for its adoption.

Party members’ recall is a system that enables party members to demand recall of elected party leaders due to violation of the party’s constitution and rules, code of conduct and dereliction of duty. When asked “If an official will be impeached as soon as he or she is recalled,” Chung Chae-ung, a member of the reform committee, said, “For instance, if more than one tenth of the party members demand recall of an official, and then more than half of the members approve recall, the official will be deprived of the post.” The committee also requires that representatives of constituencies who are currently appointed by local chapters’ chairmen to be elected through a vote of party members.

The reform committee also announced a slew of suggestions, including the establishment of a committee on evaluation of elected officials, revocation of secretary general and Supreme Council members, and recall by party members. As controversy has erupted for every single reform bill, attention is focusing on whether the reform bills will be approved or not by the central committee that is set to take place on June 20.

At a breakfast meeting between third-term lawmakers and Chairman Kim on the day, someone immediately expressed opposition, saying, “The measures require the process of public debate.” Rep. Joo Seung-yong said, “The revocation of the Supreme Council members is an important issue that could even require amendment of the party’s constitution, and it is nonsense to demand the central committee to approve it at its meeting that will take place in just 10 days.”

As if mindful of internal resistance in the party, the reform committee announced the process to appoint the chairman of the committee on evaluation of elected officials on Wednesday. “It shall be appointed by the party chairman,” revised the provision to “It shall be appointed by the party chairman after approval by the Supreme Committee,” the committee said. The measure has apparently been taken in consideration of criticism by party members who oppose the measure by saying “If the party chairman appoints the chairman of the evaluation committee, a core position in nomination of party candidates for lawmakers, the chairman will come to gain excessive power.”

An official in the party’s leadership said, “Since sensitive issues were hurriedly announced (without adequate consultations), chances are high that considerable tension and dispute will entail over the reform bills. However, Chung said, “The measures will likely pass the central committee seamlessly, because there is no other viable option than (the reform committee).”

alwaysj@donga.com