Filibuster Launched by Opposition Over Bill to Expand Disclosure of Lower Court Rulings
First Speaker Kwak Gyutaek Protests Against Woo Wonsik's Filibuster Interruption
Filibuster Showdown Until the 14th... People Power Party Vows to Block "Eight Notorious Bills"
On December 11, the National Assembly convened a plenary session and introduced a revision to the Criminal Procedure Act aimed at expanding the public disclosure of lower court rulings. The People Power Party launched an unlimited debate (filibuster) in opposition to bills led by the Democratic Party of Korea, including the establishment of a special court for insurrection cases.
Kwack Kyutaek, a member of the People Power Party, is conducting an unlimited debate (filibuster) on the partial amendment bill to the Criminal Procedure Act (alternative) at the 1st plenary session of the 430th National Assembly (extraordinary session) held at the National Assembly on December 11, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
Kwak Gyutaek, the first speaker for the People Power Party's filibuster, stated, "I clearly oppose the idea that the only way to restore trust in the judiciary is to fully disclose lower court rulings."
This amendment allows for the viewing and copying of judgments in criminal cases that are not yet finalized, effectively guaranteeing the public's right to know and access judicial information. The purpose is to enhance transparency, fairness, and accountability in trials.
On December 9, Assemblyman Kwak set up a placard on the podium in protest after Speaker Woo Wonsik turned off the microphone during a filibuster by Assemblywoman Na Kyungwon of the People Power Party. The placard read, "For the first time in 61 years, the Speaker of the National Assembly has interfered with a filibuster," and "Mr. Speaker, will you turn off the microphone again?"
Kwak Kyutaek, a member of the People Power Party, is greeting Woo Wonsik, the Speaker of the National Assembly, before the unlimited debate (filibuster) on the partial amendment bill to the Criminal Procedure Act (alternative) at the 1st plenary session of the 430th National Assembly (extraordinary session) held at the National Assembly on December 11, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
Speaker Woo explained in the plenary session that his action of forcibly turning off the microphone during Assemblywoman Na's filibuster was a legitimate measure in accordance with the National Assembly Act.
Speaker Woo said, "Assemblywoman Na supported the amendment to the Franchise Business Act, which was the subject of the unlimited debate, but she began the filibuster to demand the withdrawal of the Democratic Party's eight notorious bills. It is not acceptable to simply let this pass, and it is tantamount to asking the Speaker to overlook a violation of the National Assembly Act."
He continued, "It is true that in the past, there have been cases where speakers strayed from the agenda during unlimited debates, and it is also true that previous Speakers have issued multiple warnings regarding this."
Speaker Woo added, "It is unprecedented in constitutional history for someone to declare from the outset that they will not abide by the National Assembly Act and to refuse the Speaker's request. It is not appropriate to call the Speaker's action an abuse of authority in this context."
Regarding Assemblyman Kwak's placard, Speaker Woo said, "I saw it, and as I mentioned earlier, it is unprecedented in constitutional history for someone to declare from the start that they will not follow the National Assembly Act. That is why I interrupted Assemblywoman Na's speech. If you wish to protest in this manner, you may do so."
Kwak Gyutaek, a member of the People Power Party, is conducting an unlimited debate (filibuster) on the partial amendment bill to the Criminal Procedure Act (alternative) at the 1st plenary session of the 430th National Assembly (extraordinary session) held at the National Assembly on December 11, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
The floor leaders of both parties held negotiations the previous day regarding the handling of contentious bills but failed to reach an agreement. The People Power Party has designated the eight bills promoted by the Democratic Party as the "eight notorious bills" and plans to respond with a full-scale filibuster until they are withdrawn.
Song Eonseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, emphasized at a party caucus held before the plenary session, "Unless the ruling party withdraws its attempt to force through these eight totalitarian bills within the year, we will fight every bill brought to the floor with a filibuster."
The bills labeled as the "eight notorious bills" by the People Power Party include the establishment of a special court for insurrection cases, the introduction of the crime of judicial distortion, increasing the number of Supreme Court justices and abolishing the National Court Administration, the introduction of a four-instance trial system, expanding the investigative jurisdiction of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials to include judges and prosecutors, regulating party banners, introducing punitive damages for YouTubers, and restricting filibusters.
A filibuster can be ended after 24 hours if at least three-fifths of all lawmakers agree. Since a separate vote to end the filibuster is required for each bill, only one bill can be processed per day. The Democratic Party plans to introduce the Banking Act on December 12 and the Police Officers' Duties Execution Act on December 13, while the People Power Party intends to continue its filibuster until December 14.
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