[Summary] "All Power Comes from Munppa... Munju Republic" Opposition's Filibuster Against the Corruption Investigation Office Act

"One Word from President Moon Turns Illegal and Unfair into Legal"
"Ignoring Law and Principles... Legislative Rampage with Tricks and Evasion"
Questioning Democratic Party Lawmakers as "Servants Taking Orders from Cheongwadae"
Ruling Party Lawmakers Boo and Shout Back

Kim Ki-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, is engaging in unlimited debate on the partial amendment bill (alternative) concerning the establishment and operation of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials during the National Assembly plenary session on the afternoon of the 9th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "The Republic of Korea is a Moonju Republic (Moon Jae-in + Democratic Republic), and the sovereignty of the Republic of Korea belongs to Moon-nim, with all power coming from Moonppa" (Kim Ki-hyun, People Power Party lawmaker)

The amendment to the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HOCI) Act was submitted to the National Assembly plenary session on the 9th. The People Power Party plans to block the proceedings through a filibuster (unlimited debate). The first speaker is four-term lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun, who was also involved in the 2018 allegations of the Blue House's interference in the Ulsan mayoral election.

Starting around 9 p.m. on the previous day (the 9th) until midnight, Kim pointed out issues with the HOCI Act amendment for three hours. When Kim's filibuster began, about 30 Democratic Party lawmakers left the plenary hall at once in protest. Especially when Kim mentioned 'Moonppa' (a derogatory term for those who blindly support President Moon Jae-in), the ruling party lawmakers responded with jeers and loud voices.

When Kim criticized Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae as unfit for her position, opposition lawmakers echoed him, shouting "Choo Mi-ae resign." Kim pointed out that democracy is facing a crisis due to the Moon Jae-in administration.

Kim said, "The ruling party and the Blue House are collaborating to trample on democracy and violate the constitution," adding, "When the logic of power dominates, the constitutional system of the National Assembly will collapse."

Regarding the bill that removes the opposition's veto power in the HOCI chief recommendation process, he repeatedly criticized, "The ruling party forcibly pushed it through by a fast-track procedure," and "The HOCI will become a power-protecting office."

Kim accused the Democratic Party of 'legislative rampage.' He said, "With one word from President Moon, the National Assembly system is completely changed, and illegality and corruption are disguised as legality and justice," adding, "President Moon ignores laws and principles, disregards the people with tricks and shortcuts, bypasses the opposition, and carries out legislative rampage."

Kim Ki-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, is greeting fellow lawmakers after concluding an unlimited debate on the partial amendment bill (alternative) concerning the establishment and operation of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials at the National Assembly plenary session around midnight on the 10th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

He also said, "The Republic of Korea is now being destroyed by the collective loss of reason of the extreme pro-Moon group that worships President Moon as a god above the constitution," raising his voice, "All forces opposing the rampaging anti-democratic dictatorship fascist regime and trying to protect liberal democracy have become targets of deep-rooted evils and annihilation."

Then, addressing Democratic Party lawmakers, he said, "I wonder whether you are members of the National Assembly for the people of the Republic of Korea or servants receiving instructions from the Blue House," and asked, "Is your identity as a ruling party member more important, or your identity as a lawmaker?" He continued, "Since entering the National Assembly in 2004, I have been both in the opposition and the ruling party. I believe it is desirable for the ruling party and opposition to alternate in power for the sake of the people and the country," and asked, "Democratic Party lawmakers, do you really think the opposition is a target for annihilation?"

Meanwhile, with Kim's filibuster ending, the first regular session schedule of the 21st National Assembly was completed. At the temporary plenary session on the afternoon of the 10th, convened at the Democratic Party's request, a vote on the HOCI Act amendment will begin, moving toward its passage. Following that, when the amendment to the National Intelligence Service Act, which abolishes the National Intelligence Service's counterintelligence investigation authority, is submitted, the People Power Party plans to filibuster that bill as well.

Regarding the People Power Party's filibuster plan, the Democratic Party intends to request the Speaker of the National Assembly to apply for a motion to end the filibuster according to the Assembly Act, and 24 hours after that, forcibly end the filibuster by a vote with at least three-fifths (180 members) of the total members' approval.

Besides the bill for which the People Power Party requested a filibuster citing the need for unlimited debate, there are two other bills, including the bill to ban the distribution of leaflets to North Korea (amendment to the Inter-Korean Relations Development Act), totaling three bills. The unlimited debate by People Power Party lawmakers, which began on the night of the 9th, is expected to continue for four days until the afternoon of the 12th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.