Final Tug-of-War Between Ruling and Opposition Parties Over Media Arbitration Act

Conflict over the bill scheduled for the plenary session on the 27th
If the ruling party pushes it through, the People Power Party plans to conduct a filibuster

Yun Ho-jung, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kim Ki-hyun, the floor leader of the People Power Party, are holding final consultations on the plenary session submission of the 'Media Arbitration Act Amendment' at the National Assembly on the 27th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Kum Boryeong and Jeon Jinyoung] As the ruling and opposition parties engage in a last-minute tug-of-war over the submission of the amendment to the "Act on the Mediation and Relief of Damage in the Press (Press Mediation Act)" to the plenary session on the 27th, the ball appears to have been passed to National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok.

At 10:30 a.m. that day at the National Assembly, the floor leaders and deputy floor leaders of both the Democratic Party and the People Power Party, along with two lawmakers from each party who participated in the eight-member consultative body, totaling eight people, sat down at the negotiation table. The meeting was arranged for the final discussion. Subsequently, the floor leaders of both parties met with Speaker Park. After observing the final negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties, Speaker Park is expected to decide whether to submit the amendment to the Press Mediation Act to the plenary session. Last month, Speaker Park also postponed the submission of the bill, emphasizing bipartisan agreement.

The ruling and opposition parties had agreed to form an eight-member consultative body over the past month to prepare the amendment and to submit it to the plenary session on the 27th, but they failed to reach a final agreement by the day before. In response, Yoon Ho-jung, floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at the highest council meeting that "It was decided a month ago to open the plenary session and submit the fake news damage relief law for processing," but added, "We will do our best to ensure smooth processing through bipartisan agreement in the remaining time." Since another plenary session is scheduled for the 29th, there is still room for further negotiations. However, Kim Yong-min, a senior member of the Democratic Party, said, "We cannot delay any longer," and stressed, "We must increase effectiveness and ensure passage at today's plenary session."

The most contentious issue between the ruling and opposition parties is the "punitive damages system." The Democratic Party has taken a step back by lowering the amount of damages from the existing "up to five times" to "up to 50 million won or three times the damage amount," but the People Power Party demands complete deletion, arguing that it suppresses press freedom and infringes on the public's right to know. Another contentious issue, the "right to request article viewing block," was proposed by the Democratic Party to be introduced only in core areas of privacy, but the People Power Party opposes it, citing high potential for abuse. Jeon Juhye, the People Power Party's floor spokesperson, stated in a commentary that "the current Democratic Party's revised bill should be scrapped."

The People Power Party is preparing while keeping various possibilities open. If the Democratic Party forcibly processes the amendment to the Press Mediation Act, they plan to conduct a filibuster (unlimited debate). Choi Hyung-doo, a member of the eight-member consultative body, told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "We will prepare for all situations." Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader of the People Power Party, also emphasized at the highest council meeting, "If the Democratic Party ultimately tries to forcibly process the bill that destroys press freedom at the plenary session, the People Power Party will fight to the end to protect press freedom."

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