[Exclusive] Filibuster Anxiety Grips the 22nd National Assembly... Surge in Secretariat Resignations

Unlimited Debates Surge in the 22nd National Assembly
Last Year Sees 56 Secretariat Resignations, Twice the Usual Number
Speaker Reflects: "Time to Reconsider the Original Purpose of Unlimited Debate"

"You probably haven't heard that a filibuster (unlimited debate) is happening, right? Every time rumors of a filibuster start to spread, my heart starts pounding with worry."

On the 26th, an official from the National Assembly Secretariat expressed the hardships caused by filibusters in this way. A filibuster is an unlimited debate aimed at delaying parliamentary proceedings through lengthy speeches, in order to prevent the majority party from unilaterally passing bills. It is a necessary system for protecting the rights of minority parties. The problem is that it is being overused, straying from its original purpose. When a party chooses to initiate a filibuster, employees of the National Assembly Secretariat must work around the clock. Secretariat staff complain that their health deteriorates rapidly with each filibuster session.

Filibusters are increasing in the 22nd National Assembly. There were 7 cases in 2024, 15 in 2025, and as of April 27 this year, there have already been 9. If this trend continues, the record from last year will be far surpassed. As filibusters are repeated, not only the National Assembly leadership responsible for managing parliamentary affairs but also Secretariat staff and legislative aides are suffering continuously. According to the office of the Speaker of the National Assembly, during a filibuster last month that lasted four days and three nights, up to 450 people were on emergency duty.

The increasing number of resignations among Secretariat staff is also noteworthy. According to the National Assembly Secretariat, there were 56 resignations (excluding retirements upon reaching the mandatory retirement age or other automatic retirements) last year, when filibusters and similar events surged. From 2016 to 2024, annual resignations ranged from 22 to 43, with an average of 30.2, meaning the number nearly doubled. This indicates that career civil servants, whose status is protected and who are not in political or appointed positions, are leaving the National Assembly one after another.

The National Assembly Building in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

Sick leave among Secretariat employees has also increased somewhat. While the average number of sick leave days taken by employees in 2023 and 2024 was 6 days, it increased to 7 days in 2025. Fortunately, the previous issue—where overtime pay was capped at 4 hours per day (57 hours per month), making it impossible to receive compensation even when working overnight—was resolved last year. Civil servants who work in a constant standby mode to support filibusters are now designated as active-duty officials, making them eligible for overtime pay.

On the 23rd, after having lunch with National Assembly Secretariat staff who had worked tirelessly during the filibuster period, Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik wrote on social media, "The frequent filibusters that have occurred since the start of the 22nd National Assembly have taken a considerable physical and mental toll on (the staff)," adding, "Even with so many people mobilized, I have reconsidered as Speaker whether the filibuster system is being operated in line with its original purpose."

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