Pushing Ahead with Three Major Reforms and the Broadcasting Act
People Power Party Announces Filibuster
As the leadership of the Democratic Party under Representative Jung Cheongrae begins, tensions in the political landscape are rising. On the afternoon of August 4, the National Assembly will convene a plenary session to address key legislative issues, including the Broadcasting Act. The People Power Party, wary of the strong reform drive signaled by the "Jung Cheongrae leadership," has announced plans to launch a filibuster (an unlimited debate to legally obstruct parliamentary proceedings). Among the major contentious bills, the Broadcasting Act is expected to be given priority.
During his first Supreme Council meeting after taking office, held at the National Assembly that morning, Representative Jung analyzed the background of his election, stating, "The people and party members demanded a strong Democratic Party that would not compromise with insurrectionist forces and would completely eradicate them, as well as a competent Democratic Party that would support the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration." This indicates his intention to pursue political action consistent with the results of the party convention, based on a strong drive for reform and the eradication of insurrectionist forces.
Before Chuseok, Representative Jung appointed Min Hyungbae (Special Committee on Prosecution Reform), Choi Minhee (Special Committee on Media Reform), and Baek Hyeryeon (Special Committee on Judicial Reform) as chairs of special committees to complete three major reforms: prosecution, judiciary, and media. Jung declared, "We will push for prosecution, media, and judicial reform like a storm and bring them to a swift conclusion."
During the meeting, the Democratic Party also displayed a backdrop reading "Strong Reform to Eradicate Insurrectionist Forces." The phrase was written in white letters on a red background, the color associated with the People Power Party. The backdrop also listed various reform agendas the Democratic Party is pursuing, including "judicial reform," "media reform," "prosecution reform," "labor reform," "diplomatic reform," "defense reform," "cultural reform," and "pension reform." This demonstrates the party's determination to swiftly process bills that were blocked by former President Yoon Sukyeol's exercise of the right to request reconsideration (veto) from the early days of the Lee Jaemyung administration.
The appointment of Cho Seungrae, who served as chief spokesperson and spokesperson for the National Planning Committee during Lee Jaemyung's tenure as party leader and has a deep understanding of Lee's policies, as Secretary-General, reflects a strategic consideration of both political and policy capabilities. The selection of Han Jeongae, a former cabinet minister (Minister of Environment) under the Moon Jaein administration, as Policy Committee Chair is also noteworthy. She brings extensive political experience, proven communication skills with the government, and negotiation abilities with the opposition. Representative Jung emphasized, "We will respond to the expectations of the people placed on the government and the ruling party with tangible results," adding, "We will become a strong partner and a united community with the Lee Jaemyung administration."
Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on August 4, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
The main opposition People Power Party held an inauguration ceremony for the "Special Committee on Protecting Judicial Justice and Responding to Dictatorship" that day, reorganizing its ranks. Five-term lawmaker Cho Baesook was appointed as the committee chair, with lawmakers Yoo Youngha and Park Juntae among the members. The special committee plans to launch a campaign against the ruling party, including the three major special prosecutor investigations and efforts to expel opposition lawmakers.
Candidates for the People Power Party leadership also signaled a hardline confrontation. Candidates Kim Moonsu, Jang Donghyuk, Cho Kyungtae, Joo Jinwoo, and Ahn Cheolsoo (in alphabetical order), who declared their bids for party leader, all emphasized "struggle against the ruling party" during the party convention vision presentation held at the central party headquarters the previous day.
Candidates who supported impeachment ("Chantan") stressed the need for reform as a prerequisite for the party to be reborn as a strong opposition. Candidates who opposed impeachment ("Bantan") pledged to block the ruling party's accusations of insurrection or attempts to dissolve the party through internal unity. Regardless of who becomes party leader, it is expected that negotiations with the ruling party will face significant challenges.
The first major confrontation is expected to occur at the plenary session scheduled for 2:00 p.m. that day. The Democratic Party plans to introduce and process key contentious bills, including the "Yellow Envelope Act," the second amendment to the Commercial Act, and the three broadcasting bills (amendments to the Broadcasting Act, the Foundation for Broadcast Culture Act, and the Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act). The People Power Party will counter with a filibuster and has formed standby teams centered on its standing committees in the plenary chamber. If a filibuster takes place, only one bill at most can be passed, so the Democratic Party has begun discussions on which bill to prioritize. While there is talk within the Democratic Party that the Broadcasting Act will be given priority, the final decision will be made after comprehensively considering the views of its lawmakers.
Song Eonseok, acting leader and floor leader of the People Power Party's emergency response committee, stated, "There must be no forced passage of business-strangling bills like the tougher Commercial Act and the Yellow Envelope Act," adding, "We will do everything possible to protect the Korean economy from the Lee Jaemyung administration and the Democratic Party."
Song Eonseok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman and Floor Leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Floor Strategy Meeting held at the National Assembly on August 1, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
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