All Four Major Contentious Bills Set to Pass
Cho Hee-dae Hearing to Follow After Legislation
Partisan Conflict Expected to Deepen
People Power Party Faces Limits in Assembly and Street Protests
Focus to Shift to Parliamentary Struggle
On September 29, the National Assembly is set to pass the "Partial Amendment to the Act on Testimony, Appraisal, etc. in the National Assembly (Testimony and Appraisal Act)," which will allow for perjury charges to be filed even after the conclusion of a special committee. With this, all four major contentious bills-including the Government Organization Act amendment, the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Media Committee Establishment Act, and the National Assembly Act-will be processed. The lack of bipartisan agreement on these bills is expected to further deepen the divide between parties.
The National Assembly plans to vote to end the filibuster (unlimited debate) at around 8:20 p.m. on this day, and then pass the partial amendment to the Testimony and Appraisal Act. The amendment stipulates that if the committee chair refuses or avoids filing a perjury charge, it can be initiated with the signatures of a majority of the committee members. This will bring an end to the five-day, four-night filibuster that began on September 25.
Kim Eunhye, a member of the People Power Party, is conducting an unlimited debate (filibuster) on the "Partial Amendment to the Act on Testimony, Inspection, etc. in the National Assembly (Alternative)" at the plenary session of the National Assembly on the 29th. The plenary session, which opened on the 25th, has been ongoing for five days due to continuous filibusters by the People Power Party on the bills submitted. September 29, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
The standoff in the National Assembly is expected to continue, as a hearing on September 30 regarding allegations of election interference by Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Heedae is also scheduled. Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized Chief Justice Cho at the party's Supreme Council meeting, saying, "Chief Justice Cho’s refusal to attend the hearing is itself a denial of the legislature and an unconstitutional act that rejects the separation of powers."
Separately from the conflict over the contentious bills, calls were made for bipartisan cooperation on livelihood-related legislation. Kim Byungki, floor leader of the Democratic Party, stated, "Both parties must work together to address the aftermath and countermeasures of the National Information Resources Service fire," and urged, "I hope the People Power Party will at least consider the people's livelihoods."
As the standoff continues, concerns within the People Power Party are deepening. Although the party is concluding its simultaneous efforts both inside and outside the National Assembly, it has only confirmed the limitations of such tactics.
It is generally assessed that the filibuster within the National Assembly only delayed the passage of the contentious bills, without actually blocking them or sparking widespread public support. The outdoor protests, resumed after six years, also reached a turning point. Rallies were held in Daegu on September 21 and in Seoul on September 28, but the number of supporters was estimated by police to be about 20,000 and 10,000, respectively (the party’s own estimates were 70,000 and 150,000). The main message focused on "blocking Lee Jaemyung's dictatorship." However, the lack of public response has led to skepticism within the party. One lawmaker representing Busan lamented, "The message of blocking Lee Jaemyung is unlikely to appeal to moderates, let alone become a topic at the Chuseok dinner table," adding, "With the holiday approaching, it is more urgent to focus on each constituency."
Ultimately, the People Power Party is heading into the holiday having only confirmed the limitations of its protest strategies. A party leadership official stated, "With the Chuseok holiday imminent and the National Assembly audit scheduled, there are no further outdoor events planned," but added, "However, we will continue activities opposing the Lee Jaemyung administration."
For now, the party plans to focus its efforts within the National Assembly, targeting the Lee Jaemyung administration and addressing livelihood issues. In the morning, the party held the first meeting of the "Special Committee on Countermeasures for the Lee Jaemyung Administration’s Diplomatic Incompetence and National Prestige Disqualification," highlighting issues such as the Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations and the detention of Korean nationals in Georgia, United States. In the afternoon, a policy caucus will be held to urge the resumption of President Lee’s trial. The party will also continue its focus on livelihood policies, including the formation of a "Special Committee on Stock and Virtual Asset Value-Up" to develop policies related to stocks and virtual assets. Later in the afternoon, party leaders will visit the Korea Financial Investment Association in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, to hold a roundtable on capital market issues, focusing on policies tailored to individual investors, such as the need to ease the criteria for separate taxation of dividend income.
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