Opposition to Force Passage of Yellow Envelope Act Next Month... Ruling Party Proposes "Final Debate"

Constitutional Court Dismisses Jurisdiction Dispute on Senior Citizens Act and Broadcasting Act
Opposition: "People Power Party Misuses Constitutional Court System to Obstruct Legislation"
Ruling Party: "If Considering Economy and Livelihood, Cooperation Over Force"

The Constitutional Court ruled that the direct referral of the Yellow Envelope Act and the Broadcasting 3 Acts to the plenary session is lawful, making it likely that these bills will be processed at the National Assembly plenary session on the 9th of next month. While the opposition party reaffirmed its determination to push through legislation on these bills, the ruling party, the People Power Party, plans to counter with a filibuster (unlimited parliamentary speech), making a confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties inevitable.

Hong Ik-pyo, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 27th, "We will pass the Yellow Envelope Act and the Broadcasting Act at the plenary session in November to protect the human rights of the people and freedom of the press," adding, "We hope the government and the ruling party will respect the Constitutional Court's ruling, take its significance seriously, and cooperate in processing the bills."

The day before, the Constitutional Court dismissed the constitutional complaint filed by the People Power Party members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, who argued that the direct referral of these bills infringed on the rights of lawmakers to review and vote on legislation. Floor leader Hong expressed regret over the ruling party's irresponsible and political behavior, which attempted to obstruct legitimate legislative actions conducted in compliance with the National Assembly Act by abusing the constitutional adjudication system.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The People Power Party expressed disappointment with the Constitutional Court's decision but plans to process the bills in consultation with the Democratic Party. However, considering the number of seats held by the three opposition parties in the National Assembly, they proposed a 'final public debate,' which is likely to lead to forced passage. Im Eui-ja, the People Power Party's secretary of the Environment and Labor Committee, emphasized at the meeting that the Constitutional Court's ruling was not a constitutional judgment on the substance of the bills, stating, "If we only filibuster and each side just insists on their claims, will that lead to compromise?" She urged the Democratic Party strongly, saying, "Let's have a televised public debate with equal numbers from both sides, a final debate to find a compromise and resolve the issue."

The People Power Party leadership recalled the 'gentlemen's agreement' made on the 23rd between the floor leaders of both parties to prohibit loud voices and abusive language in the plenary session and standing committees, emphasizing 'cooperation.' Yu Ui-dong, the policy chief of the People Power Party, said at the National Assembly audit countermeasures meeting that "If we truly care about the economy and people's livelihoods, and remember the agreement not to picket, shout, or boo in the National Assembly, I earnestly request that instead of pushing through legislation on the Yellow Envelope Act and Broadcasting 3 Acts, the spirit of cooperation be revived once again."

However, if the Democratic Party pushes through the bills without consultation with the opposition, the People Power Party has decided to block the forced passage through a filibuster. Yoon Jae-ok, the floor leader, told reporters after the meeting, "The Yellow Envelope Act is a law that has not reached social consensus, raises concerns about encouraging illegal strikes by labor unions, and could significantly impact industrial and labor sites, so we have no choice but to filibuster," adding, "The Broadcasting Act is the same."

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