The Democratic Party's Filibuster on the National Intelligence Service Act Forced to End... 180 Votes in Favor

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 Reporter Moon Hyewon] The filibuster (unlimited opposition debate) on the amendment to the National Intelligence Service Act was forcibly ended on the 13th.

On the same day, the National Assembly held a secret ballot on the 'Consent to End Debate' in the plenary session, passing it with 180 votes in favor, 3 against, and 3 invalid votes.

The votes in favor came from the Democratic Party, the Open Democratic Party, and pro-government independent lawmakers who together hold a majority of 174 seats.

The Justice Party, which had opposed the forced end of the filibuster emphasizing the right to express opposition and minority opinions, did not participate in the vote.

The People Power Party left the plenary hall almost entirely, except for a few vote counters, as the final speaker, Representative Yoon Doohyun, finished his remarks and the vote began.

This is the first time since the introduction of the National Assembly Innovation Act in 2012 that a filibuster has been ended by a vote.

The National Assembly Act stipulates that if three-fifths (180 members) of the total members agree, the filibuster can be ended and a decision on the relevant agenda item can be made.

Although the Democratic Party had previously stated it would guarantee the opposition's right to debate, it submitted the consent to end the debate, citing the need to focus more on quarantine and livelihood measures as the COVID-19 situation worsened.

With the debate concluded, the Democratic Party immediately proceeded with the approval process for the amendment to the National Intelligence Service Act.

The amendment transfers the National Intelligence Service's counterintelligence investigation authority to the police, with a three-year grace period, and removes domestic security information from its scope of duties.

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