Ruling Party Discusses 'Potentially Unconstitutional' Insurrection Court at General Assembly, Opposition Criticizes 'Legislative Rampage'

Both Parties Hold General Assembly Meetings Ahead of December 9 Plenary Session
Democratic Party Engages in Active Debate on Special Court for Insurrection Cases
People Power Party Discusses Filibuster Strategies Against Judicial Reform Bills

On the eve of the plenary session scheduled for December 9, both the ruling and opposition parties are holding general meetings to discuss contentious bills. The Democratic Party of Korea is expected to deliberate on proposed amendments to the bill establishing a special court for insurrection cases, which has been flagged as potentially unconstitutional. Meanwhile, the People Power Party is labeling this bill and other judicial reform proposals as a "legislative rampage" and is reviewing filibuster strategies in response.

Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kim Byung-gi, floor leader, are attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on December 8, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

On the morning of December 8, the Democratic Party is holding a general meeting at the main building of the National Assembly in Yeouido to discuss major bills for the December regular and extraordinary sessions. During this meeting, the party will report on judicial reform bills, including the amendment to the National Assembly Act that would strengthen the requirements for filibusters (unlimited debate) on contentious bills scheduled for a plenary vote this month, the bill to establish a special court for insurrection cases, and the introduction of the crime of judicial distortion (Criminal Act amendment).

There will also be discussions regarding the potential unconstitutionality of the special court for insurrection cases. Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party, stated at the Supreme Council meeting, "The bill to establish a special court for insurrection cases is intended to strictly punish Yoon Suk-yeol, the ringleader of insurrection, and thoroughly eradicate the remnants of insurrection." He added, "Even if the bill is not legally unconstitutional, we will minimize constitutional review to counter political tactics aimed at delaying the first trial." Jeong further noted, "We will gather opinions through the general meeting and push for amendments to the bill."

Active participation from lawmakers is anticipated. One Democratic Party lawmaker told The Asia Business Daily, "Discussions are likely to center around lawmakers with legal backgrounds. If there are not many speakers, I plan to step forward myself." The lawmaker added, "It will be difficult to proceed unless the unconstitutional aspects are removed. We need to reach a consensus on these issues during the general meeting."

Song Unseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 8th and at the People’s Accusation Meeting against the Lee Jae-myung government’s dictatorial evil laws, "Field 1. Destruction of the Judiciary." 2025.12.8 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

The People Power Party has defined the Democratic Party's legislative initiatives, such as the bill to establish a special court for insurrection cases and the bill to introduce the crime of judicial distortion, as a "legislative rampage" and is mounting a full-scale defense. Song Unseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated at the party's general meeting titled "People’s Accusation Meeting against the Lee Jae-myung Government’s Dictatorial Evil Laws," held at the National Assembly, "The Democratic Party is planning to force through all these evil laws at the plenary session on the last day of the regular session, thereby undermining the fundamental constitutional order of the Republic of Korea." He further criticized, "The past six months under the Lee Jae-myung administration have been a period of attempts to destroy the rule of law, the separation of powers, and the opposition. They are disguising this rampage of destruction and dismantling as 'reform,' 'democracy,' or 'normalization' with plausible lies."

The People Power Party is holding a general meeting from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., lasting about six hours, to discuss strategies for confronting the ruling party. The party plans to highlight issues with each bill, including the bill to establish a special court for insurrection cases, the bill to introduce the crime of judicial distortion, amendments to the Court Organization Act (covering the expansion of Supreme Court justices and the abolition of the National Court Administration), the introduction of a four-tier court system, and amendments to the National Assembly Act (filibuster restriction bill), followed by a Q&A session.

The People Power Party intends to block all contentious bills through unlimited debate (filibuster). In particular, to prepare for the passage of the amendment to the National Assembly Act that would allow the Speaker to halt a filibuster if fewer than 60 lawmakers are present in the plenary chamber during the filibuster, the party is considering organizing lawmakers into groups of 60 to ensure a continuous presence in the chamber.