With "Full Force to Block the Yellow Envelope Act"... Filibuster Expected to Last at Least 180 Hours

Yoon Jae-ok Holds Filibuster Countermeasure Meeting
"15 or More Members Required for Each of the 4 Laws"
Likely to Lead to 'Presidential Veto'

The People Power Party will engage in unlimited debate (filibuster) at the National Assembly plenary session on the 9th to block the opposition's forced passage of the 'Yellow Vest Law' and the 'Broadcasting 3 Acts.' The ruling party plans for all first- and second-term lawmakers to participate for more than three hours each, conducting a filibuster lasting at least 180 hours.

On the 3rd, after concluding the 'Unlimited Debate Inspection Meeting' at the National Assembly, Floor Leader Yoon Jae-ok told reporters, "All first- and second-term lawmakers are required to participate in the filibuster," adding, "We set the standard of 'at least 15 members, each for more than 3 hours' for each of the four bills."

On April 28 last year, after the unlimited debate (filibuster) related to 'Geomsu Wanbak' (separation of prosecution investigation and indictment rights) held in the National Assembly plenary session hall, lawmakers are leaving the meeting room. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

At this plenary session, the Labor Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act amendment, known as the Yellow Vest Law, and the 'Broadcasting 3 Acts'?the Broadcasting Act, the Korea Broadcasting Culture Promotion Foundation Act, and the Korea Educational Corporation Act amendments?will be submitted. The People Power Party has opposed the Yellow Vest Law as a 'law promoting illegal strikes' and the Broadcasting 3 Acts as the 'Democratic Party's law for permanent control of public broadcasting,' and these bills had been pending in the plenary session. However, the Constitutional Court ruled that there was no problem with the direct referral process of the Yellow Vest Law and the Broadcasting 3 Acts to the plenary session, prompting the three opposition parties to push for forced passage.

Earlier, the People Power Party filed a constitutional complaint to nullify the actions after the three opposition parties unilaterally processed the bills in the standing committee under Article 86 of the National Assembly Act and attempted direct referral to the plenary session. Article 86 of the National Assembly Act stipulates that if a bill is unreasonably pending in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee for more than 60 days, the standing committee can request referral to the plenary session with the approval of three-fifths of its members. Speaker Kim Jin-pyo, who had set prior agreement between the ruling and opposition parties as a precondition, is also reported to have agreed to the submission of these bills to the plenary session.

Despite the People Power Party's long-term filibuster strategy, these bills are highly likely to pass the National Assembly plenary session. The combined seats of the Democratic Party and the three opposition parties reach 180. Therefore, the ruling party is expected to block the bills through the president's veto power (reconsideration request). Floor Leader Yoon said at the Supreme Council meeting held earlier this week, "This is a political strategy to impose political burdens on the government and rally the support base ahead of next year's general election," adding, "If the Democratic Party ultimately proceeds with unilateral passage, we plan to recommend President Yoon Seok-yeol exercise the veto power." If the president exercises the veto power again, it is expected that the ruling and opposition parties will continue their strong confrontation during the year-end National Assembly sessions, including the budget review process.

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