Ruling Party: "PPP Has Abandoned the People" vs. Opposition: "DPK Forcing Bills Through" ... Sharp Exchanges Ahead of Plenary Session

Ruling Party: "Non-Contentious Bills Must Be Put on the Agenda... Filibuster Abuse Must Stop"
Opposition: "Only Choo Kyungho's Arrest Motion and Personnel Appointments Should Be Included"

The Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party exchanged sharp remarks over the agenda for the plenary session. The Democratic Party criticized the People Power Party for threatening to launch a filibuster even on non-contentious bills, calling them a "party that has abandoned the people's livelihood." Meanwhile, the People Power Party accused the ruling party of unilaterally pushing bills through by leveraging its overwhelming majority.

Kim Byunggi, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Policy Coordination Meeting held at the National Assembly on November 27, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

At the meeting of the floor leaders of both parties held in the Speaker's Office at the main building of the National Assembly in Yeouido on November 27, Kim Byunggi, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party, stated, "The People Power Party should not forget that it has become a party that has given up on the people's livelihood." He added, "The agenda for the plenary session consists of non-contentious livelihood bills that both parties have agreed upon and that the public and the business community have long awaited. Using such bills as a tool for political attacks is disrespectful to the people." He continued, "I strongly urge the People Power Party to cooperate once again." The meeting was attended by Speaker Woo Wonshik, Democratic Party Floor Leader Kim Byunggi and Deputy Floor Leader Moon Jinseok, as well as People Power Party Floor Leader Song Eon-seok and Deputy Floor Leader Yoo Sangbeom.

Kim Byunggi also stated, "The abuse of filibusters (unlimited debate) without sincerity or consultation must stop," adding, "A filibuster where the lawmakers who requested it are nowhere to be seen, and only the Speaker and the Democratic Party's Deputy Speaker are present, cannot be considered normal." Kim Byunggi expressed his determination to pass the bill to restrict filibusters (the amendment to the National Assembly Act), which passed the National Assembly Steering Committee subcommittee the previous day, during the regular session.

In front of the People Power Party's floor leadership, Kim Byunggi also raised his voice in criticism of Jang Donghyuk, the party's leader. He said, "Leader Jang Donghyuk is preoccupied with far-right rallies outside the National Assembly, parliamentary obstruction, and inciting strikes," and added, "If the top leader of a party prioritizes political strife over the people's livelihood, that party has already turned its back on the people and cannot be considered to be acting normally." He further stated, "I hope the People Power Party recognizes that, through Leader Jang's actions, it is ignoring the National Assembly."

Song Unseok, Floor Leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the party meeting held at the National Assembly on November 27, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

From the outset of the meeting, Floor Leader Song Eon-seok expressed his discomfort by refusing to participate in the group photo. While Speaker Woo and the Democratic Party's leadership stood waiting for the photo, Song Eon-seok remained seated and did not stand up. When Speaker Woo pulled him to his feet, Song protested, "There's nothing being accomplished, so why are we just taking pictures?" to which Speaker Woo replied, "It's still for the people." Song Eon-seok eventually reluctantly participated in the photo session.

While Kim Byunggi requested that Speaker Woo put non-contentious livelihood bills on the agenda for the plenary session scheduled for that afternoon, Song Eon-seok insisted that only the personnel appointments for the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission and the National Human Rights Commission, as well as the request for consent to arrest People Power Party lawmaker Choo Kyungho, should be included. Song Eon-seok stated, "Processing bills in the plenary session according to the ruling party's wishes, including those that require further discussion in the standing committees, is inconsistent with the deliberative spirit of the National Assembly." The People Power Party also argued that both livelihood bills and the budget should be handled together at the plenary session on December 2, the deadline for budget processing.

Song Eon-seok said, "Since the opening of the 22nd National Assembly, it is extremely unusual and unfortunate in the history of the National Assembly that there has not been a single case where both parties have agreed on the legislative schedule and processed bills in the plenary session accordingly." He continued, "Speaker Woo's term as Speaker for the first half of the session is almost over, so wouldn't it be good to at least leave a record of having held a plenary session according to a schedule agreed upon by both parties during his term?"

Song Eon-seok also made a heartfelt appeal to the ruling party, which he accused of unilaterally pushing bills through with its overwhelming majority in the current National Assembly. He requested a halt to the advancement of the amendment to the Commercial Act, which mandates the retirement of treasury shares, and to judicial reform bills. He stated, "Even just the strengthened Commercial Act and the so-called Yellow Envelope Act (Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union Act) are already causing serious problems for the economy and industry." He further criticized the Democratic Party, saying, "They are also pushing ahead with judicial reform bills that could seriously undermine the rule of law, parliamentary democracy, and the fundamental order of liberal democracy."

In addition, Song Eon-seok urged Speaker Woo to accept apologies from Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoonduk, who was absent from the plenary session, and Policy Chief Kim Yongbeom, who became enraged during a parliamentary audit at a question from People Power Party lawmaker Kim Eunhye. Song Eon-seok said, "Disregarding the National Assembly is disregarding the people," and requested, "As the head of the National Assembly, please demand a sincere apology and a promise to prevent a recurrence, and accept their apologies."

Meanwhile, Speaker Woo called on the floor leaders of both parties to actively engage in discussions on the Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment, the Special Committee on Political Reform, and the Special Committee on Ethics.

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