December Extraordinary Session Kicks Off in Earnest... Filibuster Showdown Looms Amid Ruling-Opposition Standoff

Kim Byunggi: "Filibuster Runaway"
vs
Song Eonseok: "Eight Evil Laws"

The December extraordinary session of the National Assembly is set to officially begin with its first plenary session on December 11, 2025. However, as the standoff between the ruling and opposition parties continues over contentious bills, the session is expected to be dominated by a filibuster (unlimited debate).

Kim Byunggi, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Policy Coordination Meeting held at the National Assembly on December 11, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

At the Democratic Party of Korea’s policy coordination meeting on the morning of December 11, Floor Leader Kim Byunggi strongly criticized the People Power Party, stating, "It is a clear contradiction for them to include even the bills they themselves proposed in the opposition debate," and called it "an absurd runaway." Kim emphasized, "The People Power Party’s political hostage-taking of livelihood issues will only hasten judgment by the people. The Democratic Party will move forward unwaveringly." He added, "Holding unlimited opposition debates even on livelihood bills that were promised to be handled by agreement is proof that there is absolutely no will for cooperative governance."

The National Assembly will convene its first plenary session of the December extraordinary session in the afternoon. However, with the ongoing intense confrontation between the two parties, the filibuster is expected to continue following the vote on the Franchise Business Act amendment (guaranteeing franchisees’ bargaining rights against franchisors) that was tabled during the regular session on December 9.

The previous day, the Democratic Party’s floor leadership met with their counterparts from the People Power Party to request an end to the filibuster, but the People Power Party refused. Since the last day of the regular session on December 9, the People Power Party has stated that unless the Democratic Party gives up on pushing through contentious judiciary reform bills-including the bill to establish a special court for insurrection cases and the bill to introduce the crime of judicial distortion (Criminal Act amendment)-they will respond with a filibuster even on non-contentious bills.

At the Supreme Council meeting on December 11, People Power Party Floor Leader Song Eonseok labeled the Democratic Party’s contentious bills as the "eight evil laws" and insisted that the Democratic Party must abandon them. Song argued, "The eight totalitarian evil laws the Democratic Party is forcing through are an act of violence that completely denies the constitutional order of the Republic of Korea, which is based on liberal democracy and the rule of law." He added, "If this administration is not dreaming of a totalitarian state, it must immediately halt the eight totalitarian evil laws."

With the filibuster expected to continue, the passage of more than 60 non-contentious bills in the plenary session is likely to be delayed. On this day, the plenary session will table the Criminal Procedure Act amendment to expand the disclosure of lower court rulings in criminal cases; the Banking Act amendment, which would prohibit banks from factoring in insurance premiums and legally mandated contributions when calculating additional interest rates; and the Police Officers’ Performance of Duties Act amendment, which would provide a legal basis for police to prevent the distribution of anti-North Korea leaflets and similar activities in border areas.

The agenda for extending the term of the Special Committee on Pension Reform (Pension Special Committee), which was agreed upon by the floor leadership of both parties, is also scheduled to be brought to the plenary session. The previous day, both parties agreed to extend the Pension Special Committee’s term and to form a Special Committee on Political Reform to operate until the local elections in June next year. The Political Reform Special Committee will consist of 18 members: 9 from the Democratic Party, 8 from the People Power Party, and 1 from a non-negotiating group. They also agreed to establish a special committee for the confirmation hearing of the candidate for the Chairperson of the Board of Audit and Inspection.

Meanwhile, the bill to strengthen filibuster requirements (National Assembly Act amendment), which was aimed for passage within the year, is expected to be delayed due to opposition from the Rebuilding Korea Party.