Prosecutorial Reform and Fabricated Indictment Inquiry to Hit Plenary Session... Three-Night Four-Day Filibuster Begins

Byungdo Han: "Ending 78 Years of Prosecutorial Dominance"
Democratic Party Calls for Passage of Three Exchange Rate Acts at Plenary Session
People Power Party Mounts Full-Scale Opposition with Filibuster

The National Investigation Office Act, the Prosecution Office Act, and the plan for a parliamentary investigation to uncover fabricated indictments will be brought to the plenary session on March 19, 2026. The People Power Party, which has expressed opposition to these agenda items, will respond with an unlimited debate (filibuster), launching a filibuster scheduled to last for four days and three nights.

Byungdo Han, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated at the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on this day, "The Democratic Party will table the National Investigation Office Act and the Prosecution Office Act, which were finalized by the party-government-presidential office, at today's plenary session." Han emphasized, "The prosecutorial reform legislation has focused on maintaining the core principles of complete separation between investigation and indictment, abolishing prosecutors' direct investigation authority, and removing the so-called harmful provisions that concerned the public." He added, "We will end the 78-year era of the prosecution and usher in an era of popular sovereignty in which justice is truly alive."

Byungdo Han, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on March 19, 2026. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

Junho Chun, deputy floor leader for operations of the Democratic Party, said in an interview with MBC Radio on the same day that, in addition to the National Investigation Office Act and the Prosecution Office Act, "the party will submit a motion to adopt the parliamentary investigation plan to the plenary session after amending the agenda." Chun noted, "The People Power Party is critical of the parliamentary investigation, but we expect them to participate once it begins," adding, "We are currently negotiating behind the scenes, and it is likely that the People Power Party will also appoint representatives."

In addition, the Democratic Party is also pushing for the passage of the so-called Three Exchange Rate Acts (the Restriction of Special Taxation Act and the Special Rural Tax Act) at the plenary session. Lim Jungaee, policy committee chairman of the Democratic Party, explained, "The Exchange Rate Stabilization Act is a measure to more actively promote the repatriation of individual and corporate capital to Korea in order to stabilize the exchange rate," and requested, "Please cooperate so that these bills can be handled at the plenary session." The Democratic Party plans to make every effort to persuade the People Power Party regarding the Three Exchange Rate Acts.

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on March 19, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

The People Power Party opposes both bills. Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, criticized, "If the police cover up investigations or abuse their authority to violate human rights, there is no longer any way to control them." The People Power Party held a general meeting of lawmakers in the morning to discuss their response and will begin their filibuster at the plenary session. Lawmakers including Jeong Jeomsik, Cho Kyungtae, Cho Baesook, and Cho Seunghwan are scheduled to participate in the filibuster on this day.

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