People Power Party Confirms Filibuster on Key Bills Including Government Organization Act... Still Weighing Non-Contentious Bills

Decision on Filibuster for Non-Contentious Bills Delegated to Song Eonseok
Filibuster Confirmed if Only Four Bills Are Tabled by the Ruling Party

The People Power Party has decided to counter the key legislative bills, including the amendment to the Government Organization Act scheduled to be tabled at the National Assembly plenary session on September 25, with a filibuster (unlimited debate). However, the party will decide on the day of the session whether to filibuster non-contentious bills related to public livelihood if they are also put on the agenda.

Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking about President Lee Jae-myung's keynote speech at the United Nations during an emergency party meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 24th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Choi Eunseok, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party's parliamentary group, told reporters after a general meeting of lawmakers at the National Assembly on September 24, "Yes," in response to a question about whether the decision to filibuster the contentious bills had been finalized.

Choi stated, "There were many opinions that it would be right to filibuster all the bills," adding, "The final decision has been delegated to floor leader Song Eon-seok."

Initially, the Democratic Party planned to table not only the amendment to the Government Organization Act but also 69 non-contentious bills at the plenary session on September 25. However, as the People Power Party protested the amendment and signaled the possibility of filibustering all bills, the Democratic Party shifted its approach to prioritize only four bills related to the Government Organization Act.

The four bills include the amendment to the Government Organization Act, which centers on abolishing the Prosecutors' Office and reorganizing economic ministries, the bill to establish the Broadcasting, Media, and Communications Committee, the amendment to the National Assembly Act, and the amendment to the rules on the number of members in standing committees of the National Assembly.

If the Democratic Party also tables non-contentious bills at the plenary session, floor leader Song Eon-seok plans to make a final decision on whether to proceed with the filibuster and notify the lawmakers accordingly.

Choi explained, "When it comes to contentious bills, the relevant standing committee will conduct the filibuster, and if non-contentious bills are included, the chief parliamentary secretary has prepared a plan so that all lawmakers can participate."

When asked whether there were any objections to filibustering all bills during the general meeting, Choi replied, "There were some opposing opinions, but not many."

In his opening remarks at the general meeting, floor leader Song Eon-seok criticized, "Yesterday, the final negotiations between the floor leaders of both parties on the Government Organization Act amendment ended with meaningless results," adding, "The ruling party seemed to have no intention of negotiating and only met for the sake of appearances."