Special Prosecutor Law for Chae Sang-byeong Finally Submitted to the Plenary Session After Great Efforts... Ruling Party Strongly Opposes with Filibuster (Comprehensive)

Economic Sector Government Questioning Fails
Dispute Over Agenda Procedure Between Ruling Party and Speaker Woo Won-sik
Unlimited Debate Expected to End on 4th, Followed by Voting Process

The Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act was submitted to the National Assembly plenary session on the 3rd. As the People Power Party demanded unlimited debate (filibuster) in opposition to the handling of the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act, it is expected that after 24 hours, a vote to end the debate will be held, followed by a vote on approval or rejection.

On this day, the ruling and opposition parties clashed over the plenary vote on the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act. Originally, a government questioning session on economic issues was scheduled for the day, but Speaker Woo Won-sik submitted the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act as an agenda item prior to the government questioning, resulting in the cancellation of the government questioning without it even starting.

On the 3rd, Choo Kyung-ho, the floor leader of the People Power Party, is protesting to Woo Won-shik, the Speaker of the National Assembly, during the plenary session held at the National Assembly. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Regarding the submission of the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act, Speaker Woo said, "It has been almost a year since Chae Sang-byeong died in the line of duty, but clear responsibility and the truth about his death have not yet been determined," adding, "Since more than 60% of the public have expressed the opinion that the introduction of a special prosecutor law for the deceased marine is necessary, the National Assembly must now bring this matter to a close." He also said, "If the special prosecutor law for the deceased marine passes the plenary session, the bill will be sent to the government," and urged, "I hope the government will wisely accept the public's demands and make a prudent decision."

The People Power Party strongly opposed Speaker Woo's submission of the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act. The party objected to the inclusion of a bill handling schedule that was not agreed upon in the agenda, contrary to the prior agreement to proceed with the government questioning. Bae Jun-young, the senior deputy floor leader of the People Power Party, said, "There has never been a precedent in the 21st or 20th National Assembly to submit and forcibly pass a bill during the government questioning period," and criticized, "Why rewrite constitutional history?" Speaker Woo responded to this criticism by saying, "It was an agenda item announced yesterday, so it was handled in order."

Originally, Speaker Woo had planned to submit the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act as an agenda item after the government questioning on political, diplomatic, unification, and security issues the previous day. However, during the government questioning, a remark by Kim Byung-joo of the Democratic Party referring to "crazy People Power Party members" caused the plenary session to be recessed and adjourned, preventing the submission of the bill. The plenary session on this day was able to proceed only after Park Chan-dae, acting leader of the Democratic Party and floor leader, expressed regret twice during the session. Park said, "I am saddened and regretful about the disruption of yesterday’s government questioning in the National Assembly plenary session." When People Power Party members pointed out the apology, he reiterated, "I express regret over the harsh language used by our party members," and apologized again.

Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, criticized that submitting the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act as an agenda item before the government questioning, while declaring the intention to demand unlimited debate if the bill was submitted, effectively nullified the government questioning itself. He also criticized that government ministers who were waiting in the National Assembly to respond to the government questioning were made to make a wasted trip.

On the 3rd, as unlimited debate on the Cha Sang-byeong special prosecutor law began at the plenary session held in the National Assembly, cabinet members waiting for the Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's question session exited. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

In protest against Speaker Woo’s handling of the proceedings, People Power Party members ignored the customary practice of greeting the Speaker when entering and leaving the podium in the plenary hall, showing disrespect by speaking and leaving without greeting. Regarding accusations that the Speaker was siding with the Democratic Party, Woo said, "I understand the spirit of the Speaker acting nonpartisan," adding, "The Speaker is not on the side of the ruling or opposition party but on the side of the people. The Speaker does what benefits the people and does not do what harms them."

Upon the submission of the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act, the People Power Party immediately demanded unlimited debate. Accordingly, Speaker Woo declared the cancellation of the government questioning and allowed the government ministers who were waiting to respond to leave. As the unlimited debate began, lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties, led by Yoo Sang-beom of the People Power Party, entered into debate. According to the National Assembly Act, unlimited debate can be concluded by a secret vote after 24 hours, so the vote on the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act is expected to take place on the 4th.