Rival parties agree to pass special counsel bill to investigate ballot shortages - The Korea Times

Rep. Han Byung-do, center right, floor leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), poses with Rep. Jeong Jeom-sig, center left, floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party, at the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday, after signing an agreement to pass a special counsel bill to investigate ballot shortages reported during the June 3 elections. Yonhap

Rival political parties agreed Tuesday to pass a special counsel bill to look into ballot shortages reported during the June 3 elections within this month.

The agreement was reached during a meeting between ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) floor leader Han Byung-do and his main opposition People Power Party (PPP) counterpart, Jeong Jeom-sig.

Under the agreement, a six-member committee will be formed to recommend candidates for a special counsel, with three members recommended by each party.

The committee will receive three special counsel nominees each from the Korean Bar Association and the Association of Korean Law Schools, after which it will select two candidates through bipartisan agreement and recommend them to the president.