Filibuster Begins on 'Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act'... Ruling Party Says "Yoon Impeachment Aim, Threat to Separation of Powers"

Rep. Yusangbeom Leads Opposition Debate
"A Brake-less Train Running Only Toward Impeachment"
Seo Younggyo, Lee Junseok, and Others Scheduled for Support Debate

The unlimited debate (filibuster) to oppose the passage of the 'Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act' began on the 3rd. The People Power Party pointed out that this special prosecutor law is being pushed with the aim of impeaching President Yoon Seok-yeol and is an act that threatens the spirit of the separation of powers.

People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Sang-beom was the first to take the podium in the National Assembly plenary session to oppose the special prosecutor law. Lawmaker Yoo began his opposition debate around 3:40 p.m. that day.

Yoo criticized the special prosecutor law as being solely for the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol. He stated, "The toxic clauses of the special prosecutor law for the fallen marines, which the Democratic Party adopted as party policy and newly proposed as the first bill on May 30, blatantly show that the opposition parties, including the Democratic Party, are like a runaway train without brakes, rushing only toward impeachment." He added, "This special prosecutor law grants the special prosecutor the authority to withdraw indictments even for cases already on trial, allowing the mutiny trial against the former head of the Marine Corps investigation unit to be dismissed, thereby undermining the prosecutorial authority and judicial independence of the military prosecution."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Yoo particularly claimed that the Democratic Party did not follow the customary practice of preparing special prosecutor laws through bipartisan agreement but only adhered to the 'majority rule' logic. He argued that this special prosecutor law requires the president to appoint only candidates recommended by the opposition party, infringing on the president's authority to appoint public officials and violating the principle of separation of powers. He said, "Even the BBK special prosecutor was effectively pushed forward by consensus, as then-candidate Lee Myung-bak expressed willingness to accept the special prosecutor," and added, "Despite the police and the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (PCA) currently investigating this case and a second investigation by the prosecution scheduled, the Democratic Party unilaterally pushed through the special prosecutor law relying solely on the power of majority rule."

Yoo also stated, "The Democratic Party should stop inciting the public by exploiting sensational and gossip-like rumors about the president's anger and phone call records from the presidential office, which blind the eyes and ears of the people," and urged, "Please answer what has been concealed and what has been downplayed." He further criticized, "They are adding the National Human Rights Commission as an investigation target and, based only on hearsay speculation that external pressure might be applied to the PCA, are even including the current PCA investigation team as a special prosecutor target. The opposition party's unilateral exercise of the special prosecutor recommendation right and the automatic appointment of the eldest candidate if the president does not appoint within three days ignore the constitutional custom of bipartisan agreement and further increase the unconstitutionality by infringing on the president's appointment authority."

Some Democratic Party lawmakers shouted and engaged in verbal exchanges with Yoo during his opposition debate. When Democratic Party lawmaker Seo Young-kyo shouted, "You should be ashamed, bad intention," Yoo retorted, "Seo Young-kyo should be ashamed. Study more, study more."

Some People Power Party lawmakers staged an outdoor sit-in protest simultaneously with the filibuster. They formed groups of 9 to 10 people, sat on cushions in front of the plenary session exit, and held signs saying "Speaker Woo Won-shik, resign."

Woo Won-sik, Speaker of the National Assembly, is striking the gavel at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 3rd. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Even in the early stages of the filibuster, some People Power Party lawmakers did not focus on Yoo's speech or even appeared to doze off. They were seen looking only at their mobile phones or talking with neighboring lawmakers. Most Democratic Party lawmakers were absent from their seats.

After Yoo's opposition debate, Democratic Party lawmaker Park Ju-min will conduct a supporting debate. After Park's debate, the filibuster is scheduled to proceed in the order of People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won (opposition), Jo Guk-hyeon of the Innovation Party (support), People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo (opposition), Democratic Party lawmaker Seo Young-kyo (support), People Power Party lawmaker Song Seok-jun (opposition), Lee Jun-seok of the Reform New Party (support), People Power Party lawmaker Kwak Kyu-taek (opposition), and Jinbo Party lawmaker Yoon Jong-oh (support).

The Democratic Party submitted a consent form to end the filibuster just five minutes after it began that day. According to the National Assembly Act, consent to end a filibuster can be submitted to the speaker with the signatures of at least one-third of the total members. After 24 hours of submission, the filibuster can be ended if three-fifths of the total members approve. Since the opposition bloc holds 192 seats, the filibuster is expected to end around 4 p.m. on the 4th.