Kim Tae-nyeon: "It's time to end Philber and focus on quarantine... Opposition, please join us"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, urged the opposition party on the 13th, saying, "At this critical time when COVID-19 is spreading at a frightening speed, continuing with a wasteful unlimited debate (filibuster) would not be right for the people."

Kim released a statement that day, saying, "Now is the time for the National Assembly to focus on quarantine and livelihood," emphasizing this point. Earlier, lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea and other ruling coalition parties requested the end of the filibuster the day before. Accordingly, a vote to end the filibuster on the amendment to the National Intelligence Service Act is scheduled for 8 p.m. that day.

He pointed out, "Watching the unlimited debate requested by the People Power Party, I see that the debate is turning into irresponsible political strife and meaningless reading time," adding, "Initially, we intended to provide sufficient time for opposition debate considering the opposition's position, but the People Power Party is sticking to time-wasting unrelated to the topic rather than conducting opposition debate with minimal logic." He added, "This is not an unlimited debate but an unlimited waste of national power."

Regarding the amendment to the National Intelligence Service Act, Kim said, "There have been many discussions in the relevant standing committee, the Intelligence Committee, including during the 20th National Assembly and continuing into the 21st, and the version that has been adjusted with the opposition as much as possible is now before the final plenary session vote."

He also emphasized, "Only a few years ago, the National Intelligence Service spied on civilians and unjustly interfered in politics to protect a specific regime," adding, "The Democratic Party and the Moon Jae-in administration prepared the amendment to structurally sever the dark past of the National Intelligence Service and to establish it as an intelligence agency working solely for national interests."

Kim said, "The opposition's intentions will be sufficiently conveyed during the unlimited debate continuing until this evening," and added, "Now, we should no longer waste the National Assembly's time and must work for the people." Addressing the opposition, he requested, "I hope you will join us in overcoming the unprecedented national crisis of COVID-19," urging them to participate in the vote.

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