Seoul: The ruling Democratic Party (DP) has retracted its plan to convene a National Assembly plenary session this week to pass several contentious bills, including one intended to halt criminal trials for a president-elect. DP floor spokesperson Noh Jong-myeon announced to reporters at the National Assembly that no session will occur on Thursday and that the contentious bills will not be addressed this week.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, the decision delays the party’s initial strategy to vote on the bills, transferring the decision to the new floor leadership, which will take office on June 13. Last month, the DP passed a revision to the Criminal Procedure Act during a subcommittee meeting, despite opposition from the People Power Party (PPP). The PPP has contested the bill, arguing it was designed to benefit President Lee Jae-myung.

The DP had plans to pass three broadcasting bills during the plenary session. These proposed amendments to the Broadcasting Act, the Foundation for Broadcast Culture Act, and the Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act. The changes aim to modify the governance structure of public broadcasters KBS, MBC, and EBS by increasing the number of board directors and allowing media and broadcasting associations, along with related professional organizations, to recommend board members.