Filibuster, Condemnation, Mockery... And Then There Was No One

No Jongmyeon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is conducting an unlimited debate (filibuster) related to the submission of the "Broadcasting Three Acts (Amendments to the Broadcasting Act, the Broadcasting Culture Promotion Act, and the Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act)" at the National Assembly plenary session on August 5, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

People Power Party Launches Filibuster, But... Broadcast Act Expected to Pass This Afternoon

The Democratic Party of Korea is pushing for the passage of the so-called "three broadcast laws" (Broadcast Act, Foundation for Broadcast Culture Act, and Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act amendments) in the National Assembly, and the Broadcast Act is expected to be passed at the plenary session on the afternoon of August 5.

On August 4, National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik accepted the Democratic Party's request and put the Broadcast Act amendment, which centers on reforming the governance structure of public broadcasters, on the agenda at the plenary session. The People Power Party is entering its second day of filibuster (unlimited debate) on August 5. However, since the Democratic Party submitted a motion to end the debate just three minutes after the filibuster began on August 4, the filibuster can be forcibly ended through a vote around 4 p.m. on August 5, after 24 hours have passed. This would allow the Broadcast Act to be processed swiftly.

Shin Dongwook, a member of the People Power Party, is conducting a filibuster related to the submission of the "Broadcasting Three Acts (Amendments to the Broadcasting Act, the Broadcasting Culture Promotion Agency Act, and the Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act)" at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on August 4, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Opposition Takes Strong Stance, but Key Bills Expected to Pass Within This Month

According to the National Assembly Act, if at least three-fifths of the total 298 members, that is, 179 or more, agree, the filibuster can be forcibly ended by a vote 24 hours after it begins. The Democratic Party currently holds 167 seats, and with the support of allied opposition parties such as the Rebuilding Korea Party and the Progressive Party, the total reaches about 190 seats. Song Eonseok, acting leader and floor leader of the People Power Party, declared at the party's policy meeting on August 5, "We will mobilize all legal means, including a constitutional lawsuit, to block this," signaling a strong stance.

The Democratic Party plans to process the remaining broadcast-related bills, the Yellow Envelope Act (amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act), and the Commercial Act amendment during the August extraordinary session of the National Assembly, which begins on August 21. The People Power Party intends to continue the filibuster, but the Democratic Party is likely to proceed with the 24-hour debate closure procedure and process the remaining bills one by one. If this happens, it will take about four days in total to process the remaining key bills.

Kim Byungki, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on August 5, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Kim Byungki: "The Opposition Is Engaged in Meaningless Rhetoric"

In response, Democratic Party floor leader Kim Byungki criticized the ongoing filibuster on the Broadcast Act in the plenary session, claiming, "Blinded by partisan interests, they are abandoning people's livelihoods and reform."

At the party's policy meeting at the National Assembly, Kim stated, "The People Power Party paralyzed the plenary session with a filibuster as soon as the Broadcast Act amendment was introduced. Even at this very moment, they are continuing their meaningless rhetoric," he said.

People Power Party lawmakers Hyeonjin Bae and Sangbeom Yoo are attending and conversing during the unlimited debate (filibuster) on the second day of the 'Broadcasting Three Acts (Amendments to the Broadcasting Act, Broadcasting Culture Promotion Act, and Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act)' at the National Assembly plenary session on August 5, 2025. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

"Filibuster to End with Today's Vote, Broadcast Act to Be Passed"

The intent is that key bills such as the three broadcast laws, the Yellow Envelope Act, and the second Commercial Act amendment need to be processed, but the People Power Party's filibuster is causing delays. Kim further emphasized, "The Democratic Party will end the filibuster with today's vote" and "will swiftly process the Broadcast Act amendment."

On the 4th, during the plenary session of the National Assembly, Jeong Cheongrae, the leader of the Democratic Party, and lawmakers left the chamber as lawmaker Shin Dongwook began a filibuster on the submission of the "Broadcasting Three Acts (Amendments to the Broadcasting Act, the Broadcasting Culture Promotion Agency Act, and the Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act)." 2025.8.4 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

The People Power Party began its filibuster at 4:03 p.m. the previous day, protesting that "the three broadcast laws are the ruling party's attempt to control broadcasting." According to the National Assembly Act, the debate can be ended by a vote 24 hours after the filibuster begins, and the bill can then be put to a vote.