The Democratic Party attempts to forcibly end filibuster on North Korea leaflet law today... Freezing political climate

Kim Tae-nyeon "Must Focus on COVID-19 Response"... Reaffirms Determination to End Filibuster
Joo Ho-young "Act of No Faith and Courtesy"... Decides to Personally Join Filibuster

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] On the 14th, the ruling and opposition parties will hold the final round of discussions over the revision bill of the Act on the Development of Inter-Korean Relations (the Anti-North Korean Leaflet Distribution Act). Amid the ongoing third filibuster following the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Act (the Corruption Investigation Office Act) and the National Intelligence Service Act, the Democratic Party of Korea has once again announced a forced end to the filibuster, escalating the conflict between the ruling and opposition parties to an extreme level.

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting that day, "Currently, unlimited debate on the Anti-North Korean Leaflet Distribution Act is underway in the National Assembly, and the filibuster has been going on for a total of six days. The opposition party has already expressed its opinion as much as possible," adding, "Holding unlimited debate despite the massive spread of COVID-19 is ignoring the suffering of the people and constitutes dereliction of duty by the National Assembly." Kim emphasized, "The conclusion of the unlimited debate on the National Intelligence Service Act yesterday was also a preemptive measure for COVID-19 response," and "What the National Assembly should focus on now is quarantine and damage support."

The Anti-North Korean Leaflet Distribution Act, which the Democratic Party intends to forcibly end the filibuster and pass that day, mainly prohibits loudspeaker broadcasting activities around the Military Demarcation Line and punishes acts such as leaflet distribution.

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 11th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The Democratic Party plans to put the motion to end the filibuster to a vote around 9 p.m. that day, 24 hours after submitting the application to end the filibuster. The filibuster on the amendment to the National Intelligence Service Act, which was held earlier, was also concluded as the Democratic Party met the required quorum of three-fifths (180 seats) of the total members.

If the Democratic Party passes the Anti-North Korean Leaflet Distribution Act following the filibuster's conclusion that day, the processing of the three power institution reform bills and the three fair economy bills, which were previously pledged to be legislated within the regular session, will all be completed. The Democratic Party plans to handle all key bills, including the Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act, within the December extraordinary session.

However, if the forced termination of the filibuster is pushed through, the political situation is expected to freeze further. Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, criticized the Democratic Party's filibuster termination at the emergency committee meeting of the People Power Party that morning, calling it "a political behavior without sincerity or courtesy." He said, "The Democratic Party, which said it would not block the filibuster, reversed its words in three days and forcibly shut the opposition party's mouth with power in an unprecedented counter-filibuster," adding, "No matter how many majority seats they occupy, they cannot act so recklessly." Joo plans to take the floor as a filibusterer that day to point out the chaotic situation between the ruling and opposition parties.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The ruling and opposition parties have yet to resolve their lingering resentment over the passage of the amendment to the Corruption Investigation Office Act, which removed the opposition party's veto power. In particular, Joo revealed details of negotiations with Kim Tae-nyeon, saying, "The Democratic Party originally wanted only their preferred candidate to be appointed as the head of the Corruption Investigation Office."

Joo named Kim Jin-wook, senior researcher at the Constitutional Court, as the person the Democratic Party intends to appoint as the head of the Corruption Investigation Office. He warned that if Kim takes the position, it would face public resistance. He said, "(During negotiations, the People Power Party) showed a stance that they could accept personnel appointed during the Moon Jae-in administration," adding, "If the Blue House and the ruling party appoint the person they initially selected as the head of the Corruption Investigation Office, it will not only face public resistance but also be legally invalid."

Public opinion is also leaning toward the People Power Party. According to a poll conducted by Realmeter on the 11th at the request of YTN, surveying 500 people nationwide aged 18 and over about the passage of the Corruption Investigation Office Act, 54.2% responded that it was a "wrong decision," while only 39.6% said it was a "right decision."

In response to Joo's revelations, the Democratic Party stated, "Joo Ho-young's claims are lies," and countered, "Floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon hoped that the recommendation of the candidate for the head of the Corruption Investigation Office would be made through bipartisan agreement and approached the meeting of the floor leaders of both parties with sincerity."

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