Lee Cheolgyu Launches Filibuster: "NIS Act Amendment Is a Regression... Only Side Effects of Increased Surveillance on Citizens"

"Removal of Anti-Espionage Function"
"Declaring They Will No Longer Investigate Spies"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy, reporter Lim Chunhan] On December 10, Lee Cheolgyu, a member of the People Power Party who launched a filibuster (unlimited debate to legally obstruct parliamentary proceedings) to block the amendment to the National Intelligence Service Act, criticized, "The amendment to the NIS Act is not a reform but a regression," adding, "There are concerns that the NIS will not break away from its dark history, but instead, will become more involved in politics and reveal only the side effects of increased surveillance on citizens."

Lee stated, "The government is telling the public that the NIS's anti-espionage investigative authority is being transferred to the police through this amendment, but that is not true. There is no provision anywhere that transfers the NIS's anti-espionage investigative authority to the police. What they have done is simply abolish the NIS's anti-espionage function, which means they are declaring they will no longer investigate spies. This only benefits the North Korean regime, which is constantly seeking to communize South Korea."

Lee further pointed out, "They have handed the NIS unchecked power. The agency can now demand and obtain personal information from the heads of state agencies and organizations," and criticized, "By abolishing the NIS's anti-espionage investigative function and strengthening its surveillance of citizens, this is a toxic provision that reveals its true intent."

Regarding the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) Act, Lee commented, "Those who created the guillotine have now lost their own heads to it," adding, "The CIO will eventually exacerbate the side effects of the prosecution system, resulting in 25 CIO prosecutors wielding undue influence over the judicial order of South Korea. The responsibility for this will fall on the lawmakers who supported the bill."

On the subject of COVID-19, Lee said, "If those who led the Gwanghwamun rally are considered murderers, then are those policymakers who handed out gift certificates and encouraged travel not also murderers?" He continued, "If the government is concerned that a few hundred people gathering in Gwanghwamun Square could spread infectious disease, then it is forcing the public into danger. Have you ever taken the subway? Even now, powerless and underprivileged citizens commute in fear of COVID-19 infection on the subway. What efforts has the government made to improve such conditions?"

Referring to the sexual harassment cases involving Park Wonsoon and Oh Geodon, Lee said, "Is it right that someone who sexually harassed a subordinate and took his own life out of shame is now revered as a paragon of virtue? Is everything forgiven if someone is on your side?" He continued, "When someone brings up the issue of the late Mayor Park, they are accused of defaming the deceased or told to be respectful, and the criticism is redirected at them, leading to coordinated attacks. Is this truly what a country where justice is alive looks like?"

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