South Korea’s Supreme Court has stripped two ruling party lawmakers of their parliamentary seats. The court confirmed convictions for election law violations on Thursday. Consequently, the lawmakers will lose seats immediately under the legal mandate. Democratic Party Representatives Yi Byeong-jin and Shin Yeong-dae are now disqualified. This action reduces the ruling party’s majority in the 300-member National Assembly.
Representative Yi received a seven million won fine for asset disclosure failures. He failed to report ownership of properties worth 550 million won. This omission directly violated the Public Official Election Act. Therefore, he forfeits his position representing Pyeongtaek B constituency. The court’s final decision allows no further legal appeal.
Representative Shin will also lose seats because of his campaign official’s criminal actions. That official received a one-year suspended prison sentence for bribery. The law holds lawmakers responsible for their chief election officers’ crimes. This rule applies regardless of the lawmaker’s personal involvement. Thus, Shin loses his Gunsan, Gimje and Buan-gun A constituency seat.
These rulings trigger mandatory by-elections for the vacant positions. The votes will occur alongside nationwide local elections in June. Two other seats are already vacant due to previous political changes. Therefore, voters will fill a total of four parliamentary seats soon. This creates a brief but significant mid-term electoral contest.
The Democratic Party’s seat count consequently falls to 163 members. This reduction narrows their working majority within the legislative body. However, the party still maintains numerical control over proceedings. Future tight votes could nevertheless become more challenging to manage. The by-elections will test current public sentiment toward the administration.
Additional legal cases involving sitting lawmakers remain pending. Democratic Party Representative Yang Moon-seok awaits a Supreme Court ruling. He faces charges including fraud for a personal corporate loan. A previous appellate court upheld a fine and suspended jail sentence. His fate could further alter the parliamentary balance of power.
These events underscore strict enforcement of election integrity laws. South Korea’s legal system mandates severe penalties for specific violations. The rulings demonstrate judicial independence from political influence. They also highlight ongoing scrutiny of political candidate conduct. Public trust in political institutions remains a key national issue.
Looking ahead, the by-elections will attract considerable political attention. All major parties will campaign vigorously for these vacant seats. The outcomes could slightly adjust the legislative power dynamic. Furthermore, pending court rulings may create additional vacancies later. The political landscape may experience continued minor volatility.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court has enforced significant electoral accountability. Two lawmakers will lose seats due to confirmed legal violations. This action reinforces the rule of law in the political sphere. The coming by-elections will provide a snapshot of current public opinion. The situation reflects the ongoing interplay between law and politics in the country.
