Ruling Party's Counter Operation - Opposition Freshmen Join... Will Filibuster Extend Beyond the New Year?

National Assembly, Unlimited Debate Continues for Second Day
First Speaker Lee Cheol-gyu Speaks for 8 Hours 44 Minutes
Ruling Party Members Kim Byung-gi and Hong Ik-pyo Join
Unyielding Ruling and Opposition Parties May Extend Debate Beyond Year-End

Kim Woong, a member of the People Power Party, is conducting an unlimited debate (filibuster) on the amendment to the National Intelligence Service Act at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 11th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyemin and Lim Chunhan] "It seems they have no choice but to filibuster, which is unfortunate," said Hong Ikpyo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea.

"Online, they say the Democratic Party is a 'nuclear weapon user' (used in gaming to mean a strategic loophole). I think that description is accurate," said Kim Woong, a member of the People Power Party.

The ruling and opposition parties have been continuing a filibuster (unlimited debate) in the National Assembly plenary session for two days. It started at 3:15 p.m. on the 10th and has exceeded 20 hours until the morning of the 11th. Although the People Power Party initiated it, the Democratic Party also joined the public opinion battle. The Democratic Party has the option to end the debate with 180 votes in favor but has stated it will not do so. As a result, there is even speculation that the filibuster may extend into the new year.

The National Assembly began the filibuster on the amendment to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials Act on the last day of the regular session, the 9th, and from the 10th, the filibuster on the amendment to the National Intelligence Service Act has been ongoing since the start of the extraordinary session. The People Power Party, opposing the bill's passage, requested the filibuster, but the Democratic Party also participated in the debate, with both parties taking turns at the podium.

The lawmakers participating in the filibuster have debated for periods ranging from as little as 2 hours to as long as 8 hours. The first speaker, Lee Cheolgyu of the People Power Party, spoke for 8 hours and 44 minutes. From the Democratic Party, Kim Byunggi, a former National Intelligence Service official and the ranking member of the Intelligence Committee, spoke for 2 hours and 1 minute. Following them, the debate continued with Cho Taeyong of the People Power Party (4 hours 47 minutes), Hong Ikpyo of the Democratic Party (2 hours 3 minutes), and Kim Woong of the People Power Party.

Kim Woong, a member of the People Power Party, is conducting an unlimited debate (filibuster) on the amendment to the National Intelligence Service Act at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 11th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The lawmakers from both parties who took the podium debated the pros and cons of the National Intelligence Service Act under filibuster. Lee Cheolgyu said, "(The amendment) removes the National Intelligence Service's counterintelligence investigation function, meaning they will no longer conduct espionage investigations," and criticized, "On the other hand, it reveals its true nature by strengthening the surveillance function against citizens by allowing the National Intelligence Service to request and receive personal information from heads of state institutions and organizations."

Kim Byunggi, who was given the floor next, said, "While abolishing the counterintelligence investigation authority, a three-year grace period was set. We can review and examine whether there are any toxic clauses during that time," and emphasized, "I worked at the National Intelligence Service for over 26 years. The answer regarding (NIS reform) is consistent: it must be done."

As the ruling and opposition parties continued their sharp exchanges, the political atmosphere grew even colder. Jin Seongjun of the Democratic Party protested during Lee Cheolgyu's filibuster, saying, "You are making statements unrelated to the agenda," and Jang Je-won of the People Power Party shouted, "Our colleague has been speaking for 7 hours. Please listen," causing a commotion in the chamber.

When Hong Ikpyo, who was debating, criticized, "Overall, there is a lot of talk about the Corruption Investigation Office Act and repeated mentions of the Moon Jae-in administration or the ruling party's legislative dominance," the next speaker, Kim Woong of the People Power Party, retorted, "You should first persuade yourselves, the Democratic Party, who in 2016 said, 'Where is the agenda restriction in filibuster?' before making such remarks."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Initially, it was widely expected that the filibuster would not last long, but there is a significant possibility it will continue longer. This is because the Democratic Party has expressed its intention not to end the debate, respecting the opposition's opinion. According to the National Assembly Act, a filibuster can be ended if 180 members vote in favor. Therefore, it was anticipated that the Democratic Party would persuade its 174 members, along with 3 from the Open Democratic Party and 4 independents formerly of the Democratic Party, to end the filibuster.

In response to the Democratic Party's counter-strategy, the People Power Party has also expressed its determination not to stop the filibuster. All 58 first-term lawmakers of the People Power Party have pledged to participate in the filibuster. Since neither party has set a definitive end, the filibuster could extend beyond the year-end into the new year. The extraordinary session is scheduled until January 10 of next year.

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