Song Young-gil "Sufficient Discussion Between Ruling and Opposition
If No Agreement, Vote Will Be Held"
Opposition "Filibuster List Finalized"
[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Jinyoung Jeon] The Democratic Party of Korea reiterated its intention to forcibly pass the amendment to the Media Arbitration Act at the plenary session scheduled for the afternoon of the 29th. The People Power Party plans to counter with a filibuster (unlimited debate). The ruling and opposition parties attempted to reach an agreement under the chairmanship of the Speaker of the National Assembly in the morning, but due to significant differences in opinion, the ruling party is highly likely to proceed with a unilateral passage.
Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting held that day, "I believe the ruling and opposition parties have had sufficient discussions," emphasizing, "If no agreement is reached, voting is the principle of democracy." Floor leader Yoon Ho-jung also stated, "(Today) seems to be the last day to pass it. We have had sufficient discussions with the opposition while revising the problematic exclusive clause that the media industry is concerned about," making it clear that there will be no further negotiations.
Members of the Democratic Party’s Cheorhakhoe also took aim at Speaker Park Byeong-seok, who is known to have a negative stance on submitting the bill. Representative Kim Yong-min held a press conference that day, saying, "The 27th is the day promised to the people," and raised the issue, "It is unfair that Speaker Park is again urging the ruling and opposition parties to reach an agreement and not submitting the bill." Representative Jung Cheong-rae also pressured, saying, "It causes the misunderstanding that the Speaker is privatizing the National Assembly."
The opposition plans to proceed with a filibuster. Jeon Ju-hye, floor spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in a phone call that the filibuster list has already been decided and added, "Since the national audit is about to begin, we will proceed in a way that does not cause disruption." The Justice Party has also raised issues with the amendment submitted by the Democratic Party, so it is expected to respond depending on the negotiation results.
Since the 7th of this month, the ruling and opposition parties have continued discussions through a consultative body composed of two members from each party and two experts, totaling eight members. They reached some consensus on the revised bill that deletes the presumption clause of intentional or gross negligence and expands correction and rebuttal claims. However, they remain at an impasse over provisions such as punitive damages. The Democratic Party proposed a compromise plan to remove the "up to five times" regulation related to the highly contentious punitive damages system, but the People Power Party insists that the entire related provision should be deleted. Regarding the right to request blocking of access, the Democratic Party insists on maintaining it, while the People Power Party demands its deletion, failing to find common ground.
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