Democrats Submit 검수완박 Law to Plenary Session... Actual Processing Possible Around the 30th Due to Filibuster

by Na Juseok

Published 27 Apr.2022 18:39(KST)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The so-called "Kumsu Wanbak" law, which promotes the separation of prosecutorial investigation and indictment powers, was submitted to the National Assembly plenary session on the 27th. The People Power Party started a filibuster, but since the session is scheduled to end at midnight that day, the filibuster is expected to end automatically. However, in order to pass the bill, procedures such as convening a special session are required, so it is expected that the bill can be processed no earlier than around the 30th.

Speaker of the National Assembly Park Byeong-seok opened the plenary session at 5 p.m. that day and submitted the amendment to the Prosecutors' Office Act. This law limits the scope of direct investigations by prosecutors to corruption and economic crimes, while leaving the investigation rights for election crimes until the end of the year.

Upon the bill's submission, the People Power Party launched a filibuster to block its passage. Floor leader Kwon explained the background of reversing the agreement on the Speaker's mediation proposal, citing the will of the people, and continued to explain the problems of the bill amendment to the Democratic Party and the Justice Party.

The filibuster by the People Power Party is expected to last only a few hours. Originally, the session was shortened by ending the current special session on the same day before the plenary session, so the filibuster will automatically end at midnight.

However, the amendment to the Prosecutors' Office Act is expected to be processed again by holding a plenary session around the 30th at the earliest. This is to comply with the regulation that a notice for convening the assembly must be given three days in advance. Subsequently, the Criminal Procedure Act is also scheduled to be submitted again, but if the People Power Party filibusters again, the session will end and the plenary session will be convened and processed around the 3rd of next month, three days after the notice of the special session convening.