Ruling Party to Handle Only Four Key Bills, Including Government Organization Act, in Response to Opposition's Unlimited Filibuster Threat

If the Opposition Blocks All Bills, Filibuster Standoff Could Last 70 Days
Ruling Party Aims to Pass Key Contentious Bills Within This Month
Ruling-Opposition Conflict Shifts to Debate Over Abolishing Breach of Trust Crime

The Democratic Party of Korea has established a strategy to only submit four key bills-namely, the Government Organization Act, the Act on the Establishment of the Broadcasting Media and Communications Committee, the National Assembly Act, and the Rules on the Number of Standing Committees-to the plenary session scheduled for the 25th, in response to the People Power Party's plan to conduct unlimited filibusters (unlimited debates) even on non-controversial bills. The intention is to address contentious bills that are difficult to reach bipartisan agreement on within this month, while postponing the handling of relatively less controversial bills.

Moon Geumjoo, floor spokesperson for the Democratic Party, told reporters after the floor strategy meeting at the National Assembly on the 23rd, "Nothing has been finalized," adding, "Originally, we planned to process 69 bills, including non-controversial ones, but if a filibuster proceeds, we will only be able to handle four bills, such as the amendment to the Government Organization Act."

Previously, the floor leaders and deputy floor leaders for operations from both parties held a 2+2 meeting but failed to reach an agreement on how to handle the contentious bills. Moon stated, "The People Power Party is indicating that it will filibuster even non-controversial bills."

The Democratic Party believes that if the People Power Party blocks all bills, including non-controversial ones, the filibuster standoff could continue for 70 days. According to the National Assembly Act, a filibuster can be ended 24 hours after a motion to terminate is submitted, with the approval of at least three-fifths (180 members) of all lawmakers.

The Democratic Party plans to first address the amendment to the Government Organization Act, which includes the abolition of the Prosecutors’ Office. The amendment, which has passed the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee, is scheduled for a vote at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the 24th.

Yonhap News Agency

Meanwhile, the spark of conflict between the ruling and opposition parties ignited by the amendment to the Government Organization Act has now shifted to a debate over the abolition of the crime of breach of trust under the Criminal Act.

Kim Byunggi, floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at the floor strategy meeting on the morning of the same day, "The People Power Party claims to be a pro-business party but is turning its back on the long-standing demands of the business community," adding, "If they agree (to abolish the crime of breach of trust), I propose that it be included as an agenda item for the consultative body on the people's livelihood and economy and processed swiftly during this regular session. If they oppose it, they must clearly take responsibility before the public and the business community," he urged.

On the other hand, Kim Doeup, policy committee chair of the People Power Party, argued at the floor strategy meeting, "This is a law to save Lee Jaemyung, intended to completely abolish the suspended Daejang-dong trial of defendant Lee Jaemyung." He continued, "Proposing to abolish the crime of breach of trust at this point is no different from effectively exempting companies from their duty of loyalty," emphasizing, "It is a self-contradiction that completely overturns the intent of the Commercial Act amendment and entirely denies the justification of protecting retail investors."