Protesting All Day from Morning to Afternoon in Front of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the 7th, the People Power Party launched an all-out effort to block the Democratic Party of Korea as it moved toward the unilateral passage of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (PCC) Act amendment. People Power Party lawmakers gathered in front of the main building meeting room where the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee's bill subcommittee was held from morning to afternoon, continuing their sit-in protest. They shouted slogans such as "Withdraw the PCC Act that tramples on democracy" and "It is the people's command, stop the filibuster attempt."
Kim Do-eup, the People Power Party's floor leader in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, criticized, “(The Democratic Party) unilaterally notified us at 4 p.m. that they would hold a full committee meeting and then unilaterally convened the bill subcommittee after 3 p.m. Considering the current situation, the negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties are just for show to the public, and in reality, under the president's directive, they plan to push it through on the 9th. Ultimately, we and the people have been manipulated by the Democratic Party's tactics.”
Kim Do-eup said, “The bill review subcommittee is closed-door, but we have recorded footage. It is a spectacle. The subcommittee chair submitted the bill, and four Democratic Party members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee raised their hands in unison and approved it while banging the gavel repeatedly. Is this really the free Republic of Korea in the 21st century? This can only remind one of a communist country. They shamelessly carried this out inside.”
Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Nam-guk stated on Facebook that day, “There was no contentious issue in the follow-up PCC bills in terms of content, and these bills were essential for the launch of the PCC. They had already been discussed several times, reflecting the opinions of opposition lawmakers, and were only awaiting approval today. Nevertheless, it is regrettable that Kim Do-eup, who devoted all his efforts to disrupting the meeting, calls this a filibuster.”
Kim Nam-guk added, “When we tried to pass the PCC Act, dozens of People Power Party lawmakers, including floor leader Joo Ho-young, entered the meeting room without permission and obstructed the proceedings. Is ignoring National Assembly procedures and unlawfully blocking the meeting while showing force the kind of National Assembly the people want?”
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