Democratic Party Launches Constitutional Debate on Election Commission: "Fundamental Structural Reform Needed"

Democratic Party Task Force Holds Debate on Election Commission Reform
"Shift Needed from Formal Independence to an Accountability Structure"

The Democratic Party of Korea has begun discussions on amending the constitution to reform the National Election Commission, which has come under controversy due to its poor management of the June 3 local elections. Previously, the Democratic Party had stated its intention to dissolve the current National Election Commission through constitutional amendment and change both its name and structure.

On July 20, the Democratic Party's Task Force for Election Commission Reform to Protect the People's Voting Rights held the "National Assembly Forum on Structural Reform for Restoring Trust in the Election Commission and Constitutional Amendment Direction" at the National Assembly. Song Kiheon, the TF chief, stated, "Simply amending the law is not enough to fundamentally change the longstanding bureaucracy and monopoly structure that has accumulated within the Election Commission," adding, "Fundamental structural reform through constitutional amendment, including the reorganization of its name and composition, as well as establishing constitutional grounds for Board of Audit and Inspection oversight, must be pursued in parallel."

(Seoul=Yonhap News) Shin Hyunwoo reporter = On the 20th, at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, Song Kiheon, a Democratic Party lawmaker and chairman of the Task Force for Election Commission Reform to Protect People's Voting Rights of the Democratic Party, gave an opening remark at the "National Assembly Forum on Structural Reform for Restoring Trust in the Election Commission and Constitutional Amendment Direction," hosted by the Task Force and the Korean Association of Public Law. 2026.7.20 Photo by Shin Hyunwoo

Earlier, on July 9, the Task Force had introduced three election commission reform bills, centered on making the position of commission chair permanent, appointing an external secretary general and introducing confirmation hearings, and establishing an independent external audit committee.

Lee Heejeong, president of the Korean Association of Public Law and a co-host of the forum, commented, "The issue of inadequate management in local election administration is more than a simple administrative error—it should be approached as a constitutional crisis that can substantially undermine both the procedural legitimacy of representative democracy and the people's voting rights guaranteed by Article 24 of the Constitution." She added, "A public law analysis is urgently needed to determine how to ensure administrative accountability without undermining the independence of constitutional agencies, based on the principle of separation of powers."

Yoon Sujeong, professor at the Graduate School of Law at Kangwon National University, who gave a presentation on "The Constitutional Reorganization of the Election Commission," argued that the shortage of ballots should be "regarded as a constitutional issue that can impair electoral integrity and democratic legitimacy." She further claimed that "the current formal focus on independence should shift toward an institutional structure of accountability."

Professor Yoon asserted that, in the long term, the role of the Election Commission should be redefined as "guaranteeing the people’s voting rights and ensuring the realization of free and fair elections and national referendums." Regarding the proposal to change its name to the "Election Commission," she asserted that "such a change should only be given normative significance if it is accompanied by a redefinition of its function." She further stressed, "What is needed now is not to reduce the independence of the Election Commission, but to transform that independence into a structure of accountability that is explainable and verifiable to the public."

Lee Hwanghee, professor at Sungkyunkwan University Law School and a discussant at the forum, pointed out, "There is little practical benefit to amending the constitution." He said, "Changes to the name, selection method of commissioners, or terms of office are not decisive for strengthening the commission's accountability," adding, "Ultimately, this is an issue of legislation and systemic practice." He went on to say, "The National Assembly should institutionalize legal procedures to enhance transparency, openness, and self-examination within the Election Commission. By requiring reporting to the National Assembly, the representative organ of the people, it can help ensure the commission fulfills its duties to the sovereign public."

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