[Inside Chodong] The Filibuster Has Become a Burden

31 Filibusters in the 22nd National Assembly, the Most in History

Degenerated into a Parliamentary Tactic

An Era of Paralyzed Democracy

Filibuster refers to the legitimate act of obstructing parliamentary proceedings by the minority. Although the National Assembly Act refers to this as "unlimited debate," this system was used more frequently than ever before during the first half of the 22nd National Assembly. Even if it lasted only a day, the power of the filibuster was so great that it even brought down a constitutional amendment attempt for the first time in 39 years. Even National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik's determination to convene the Assembly throughout the weekend to persuade lawmakers on the amendment, and even bipartisan legislative bills, were powerless against the People Power Party's strategy to filibuster.

In the end, Speaker Woo declared the session adjourned in tears just 17 minutes after it opened on May 8. He expressed his frustration, saying, "It is truly infuriating, makes me want to cry, and leaves me angry and frustrated that this situation is obstructing the common-sense operation of the National Assembly, which is that timely passage of necessary bills reduces public inconvenience." This was an expression of his resentment over the fact that even the bills he had resolved to conclude during the first half of the Assembly were inevitably postponed.

Now, the filibuster is considered just another parliamentary tactic. The only remaining public interest is whether a new record for the longest filibuster will be set. Pleas made late at night from the Assembly floor often go unheard, and the issue has been pushed to the margins of public attention.

When the National Assembly Advancement Act was introduced and the first filibuster occurred in 2016, the atmosphere was different. Lawmakers' speeches from the floor regarding the Anti-Terrorism Act were of national interest. Beginning on February 23 and ending on March 2, the 192-hour filibuster left behind 1,660 pages of transcripts authored by 38 opposition lawmakers. Although it did not prevent the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Act, this period was called the "time of democracy."

Why has the filibuster, once praised, become a burden? First, it is worth considering whether the filibuster, designed as an "emergency measure," has been overused during the 22nd National Assembly. The majority party chose to push measures through rather than persuade or compromise, while the minority party used the filibuster as a means of counterattack. Moderates remained silent in the face of hardliners. As a result, there were 31 filibusters during the 22nd Assembly, the most in history.

The gravitas of the filibuster has also disappeared. The ruling party, having secured the seats (at least three-fifths of all lawmakers) required to end debate, has repeatedly concluded filibusters just a day after they begin. As a result, there was hardly any time for the public to remember the struggles of politicians who had to forgo sleep and meals to continue their debates.

As this situation has continued, the filibuster has degenerated into just another tool for the opposition to protest the ruling party’s legislative agenda. Eventually, the opposition sought even stronger measures, proposing to filibuster every bill presented at the plenary session. Given that dozens or even hundreds of items are often put to vote in a single session, if the opposition filibusters every issue, it can paralyze the legislative schedule.

After the failure of the constitutional amendment, the ruling party is once again considering revising the National Assembly Act. Introducing a "maintenance quorum" that would require about 60 lawmakers to remain in the chamber during a filibuster is under active consideration. Ultimately, this is another solution based on force, which may provoke even more extreme countermeasures from the opposition.

Will the latter half of the Assembly also be marked by extreme confrontation? The solution is not something grandiose. Parliamentary democracy is about the majority persuading the minority, the minority checking the majority, but never letting go of the thread of dialogue. Instead of resorting to extreme measures, we hope that countless negotiations and persuasions will continue, as is the essence of parliamentary democracy. As our democracy has proven so far, the path is found through engagement.

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