The National Election Commission (NEC) of the Republic of Korea hosted a Public Hearing for Comments and Opinions on Political Laws at the National Assembly attended by experts from academia, the media, civic groups and political parties on August 12. 

During the public hearing, in order to change the election environment and reflect the will of the people in, the NEC heard opinions from various experts on reforming political laws in regards to issues such as greater freedom in political campaigning, strengthening citizens right to information and ensuring more transparency in the income and expenditure of political funds.

The public hearing began with introductory remarks from NEC Vice-Chairperson Moon Sang-boo and was divided into two sections; one on the Political Parties Act and the Political Fund Act and one on the Public Official Election Act and other related laws. 

Session One (Political Parties Act and the Political Fund Act)

• Presenter: Park Sae-gak (Chief Law Officer, NEC)

• Moderator: Professor Son Byeong-gwan (President, The Korean Association of Party Studies President)

• Discussion Panelists: 

1. Shin Bo-ra (National Assembly Member, Saenuri Party)

2. Jeon Hyea-suk (National Assembly Member, Minjoo Party of Korea) 

3. Yun So-ha (National Assembly Member Justice Party) 

4. Jeon Yong-ju (Professor, Dong-eui University)

5. Bae Seong-gyu (Politics Director, TV Chosun)

6. Lee Jung-geun (Editorial Writer, Kyunghan Shinmun)

7. Ko Gye-hyeon (Secretary General of the Citizen’s Coalition for Economic Justice)

Session Two (Public Official Election Act)

• Presenter: Kim Shin-gi (Chief of the Election Policy, NEC)

• Moderator: Professor Park Myeong-ho (President, The Korean Association of Party Studies)

• Discussion Panelists: 

1. Park Seung-joo (National Assembly Member, Saenuri Party)

2. Park Beom-kyae (National Assembly Member, Minjoo Party of Korea) 

3. Lee Yong-joo (National Assembly Member Justice Party) 

4. Lee Hyeon-chul (Professor, Konkuk University)

5. Seong Han-yong (Senior Reporter, The Hankyoreh Newspaper)

6. Jeon Yeong-gi (Editorial Writer, Korea Joongang Daily)

7. Park Geun-yong (Secretary General of the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy)

After finalizing its proposed revisions of political law based on the opinions collected during this public hearing, the NEC expects to submit them to the National Assembly in late August.