Democrats to Pass Yellow Envelope Act and Broadcasting Act on November 9
People Power Party Prepares Filibuster Ahead of Constitutional Court Ruling on 26th
Although the ruling and opposition parties seemed to be experiencing a favorable wind for 'cooperation' by banning loud voices in the plenary session, the atmosphere is expected to cool down again in the regular National Assembly session resuming next month. This is because the Democratic Party of Korea has declared that it will pass bills such as the Yellow Envelope Act, which the ruling party strongly opposes. The People Power Party has expressed a stance to try negotiations as much as possible rather than a head-to-head confrontation.
Park Jeong-ha, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, said on the 25th, "The floor leaders of the People Power Party and the Democratic Party have agreed to a gentleman's agreement, refraining from jeers and loud voices toward each other and not posting placards inside the National Assembly chamber," adding, "So that the hopeful expectation does not end in disappointment, this agreement should foster a productive National Assembly atmosphere of respect and cooperation instead of mutual slander. We will not stop discussions until the end on sharply divided bills such as the Labor Union Act and the amendment to the Broadcasting Act."
On the 30th, the National Assembly plenary session is handling the referral status of the 'Yellow Envelope Act' (Amendment to the Labor Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act). Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
The People Power Party has repeatedly stated that it will respond with filibusters if the Democratic Party forcibly passes the Yellow Envelope Act and other bills. However, since the People Power Party is taking an attitude of 'not stopping discussions until the end' rather than a head-to-head confrontation, attention is focused on whether a compromise can be sought.
Earlier, the Democratic Party decided to pass the Yellow Envelope Act and the Broadcasting Act at the plenary session scheduled for the 9th of next month. Since discussions have been held with Speaker Kim Jin-pyo, who had been blocking the submission of the bills, they intend to proceed with the vote.
However, in political circles, there is skepticism about the gentleman's agreement between the floor leaders of the ruling and opposition parties. This is because it is expected that conflicts will deepen as major bills are pushed forward one after another. Ultimately, preparations for a head-to-head confrontation are also underway.
Separately from negotiations, the People Power Party is preparing for a filibuster while waiting for the Constitutional Court's ruling on the jurisdictional dispute regarding these bills, scheduled for the 26th. Jang Dong-hyuk, the floor spokesperson, told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "If what our party raised is accepted by the Constitutional Court, the Democratic Party will not be able to submit the bills, but if not, we think they can submit them on the 9th, so we are preparing accordingly." It is also known that the lawmakers' offices are preparing filibusters in anticipation of the forced passage of the bills.
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