"Step Down as Speaker and Return to Being an Ordinary Democratic Party Member"
"We Will File Complaints Against Minister Jeon Jaesoo and Others Involved in the Unification Church Scandal"
Song Unseok, Floor Leader of the People Power Party, stated on December 10 that he would pursue legal action, including filing complaints, against National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik, who turned off the microphone during Assemblywoman Na Kyungwon's unlimited debate (filibuster) at the previous day's plenary session, as well as Jeon Jae-soo, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, who has been accused of receiving illicit funds from the Unification Church.
Song Unseok, Floor Leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at a press conference on current issues held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on December 10, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
Speaking with reporters at the National Assembly that morning, Floor Leader Song said, "Last night, while President Lee Jaemyung and the ruling party leadership were enjoying a lavish dinner at the Hannam-dong residence, the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea was being trampled by Speaker Woo's dictatorial silencing of minority opposition parties." He made these remarks in strong criticism.
Song continued, "Just about ten minutes after Assemblywoman Na Kyungwon began her filibuster, Speaker Woo arbitrarily turned off her microphone. This is an unprecedented act of violence. Sixty-one years ago, then-Speaker Lee Hyosang turned off Assemblyman Kim Daejung's microphone after five hours and nineteen minutes, but Speaker Woo, living in an era of ultra-speed, did it in just ten minutes."
He added, "Ultimately, Speaker Woo blatantly violated the National Assembly Act by declaring a recess, and even after the debate resumed, he again abused his authority by turning off the microphone. This was a completely biased and highly arbitrary conduct, utterly unbefitting of the Speaker of the National Assembly."
He went on to say, "If that's the case, he should step down from the speakership and return to being an ordinary member of the Democratic Party, his original party. We will take legal action against Speaker Woo for violating the National Assembly Act by arbitrarily halting the unlimited debate."
Floor Leader Song also stated that if the December provisional session of the National Assembly is convened on the 11th, the party would resume its protest actions.
He said, "I have not yet heard what items will be put on the agenda or in what order at tomorrow's plenary session. Communication between the ruling and opposition parties is necessary," but added, "Our party will continue to fight to the end against the five major evil laws that undermine the judiciary and the three major evil laws that silence the people."
The Democratic Party plans to hold plenary sessions on December 11-14 and 21-24, taking into account Speaker Woo's schedule, to process the remaining priority bills. However, the People Power Party has announced that if bipartisan agreement is not reached, it will respond with filibusters even against non-contentious bills.
Floor Leader Song also announced plans for legal action regarding the testimony given during the special prosecutor's investigation by former Unification Church World Headquarters Director Yoon Youngho, who was indicted and detained on charges of delivering money and valuables to First Lady Kim Keonhee. Yoon reportedly stated that he had also delivered money to a former minister from the Democratic Party.
Song said, "The special prosecutor confirmed Yoon's testimony in August but sat on it for four months, only referring it to the National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters yesterday. With only about a month left before the seven-year statute of limitations for violations of the Political Funds Act expires, it is clear to anyone that the special prosecutor is playing a biased game to save the former minister."
He added, "The People Power Party will file complaints with investigative authorities against the former minister and a former lawmaker who is a close aide to Lee Jaemyung."
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