Jang Donghyuk Leads First Filibuster Against Insurrection Tribunal Bill: "Worst Law in History"

Jang Donghyuk: "The Worst Legislation in Korean History"
First-Ever Filibuster by Main Opposition Leader
Democratic Party Submits Final Bill After Two Revisions
Filibuster Likely to End Forcibly Tomorrow, Followed by Vote

The Democratic Party's party-line bill to establish a dedicated tribunal for insurrection cases was introduced at the National Assembly plenary session on December 22. In opposition, the People Power Party launched a filibuster (unlimited debate), with party leader Jang Donghyuk taking the first turn.

This marks the first time in constitutional history that the leader of the main opposition party has participated in a filibuster.

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is conducting an unlimited debate on the special law regarding the establishment of a dedicated tribunal for the December 3 Yoon Seokyeol emergency martial law and the protection of whistleblowers during the plenary session of the December extraordinary session of the National Assembly held on the 22nd. Photo by Yonhap News

At the plenary session that morning, Jang Donghyuk took the floor as the filibuster speaker after the bill to establish a dedicated tribunal for insurrection was introduced, stating, "I am here to make it clear that the establishment of a special tribunal for emergency martial law is clearly unconstitutional."

Jang Donghyuk emphasized, "Today is not just another day out of 365. It will be a day that history will surely remember," adding, "Please remember the law being introduced today to create a special tribunal for emergency martial law. It will go down in the history of the Republic of Korea as the worst piece of legislation ever."

He continued, "Please also remember forever who casts a vote in favor of this bill tomorrow," and said, "These are the names that should be recorded in history as those who destroyed liberal democracy and the rule of law in the Republic of Korea."

Jang Donghyuk argued, "The reason the Democratic Party is pushing to pass this law is clear. They are afraid that the 'insurrection frame' that began after December 3 last year will fail," and added, "If the insurrection frame fails, they fear this administration will collapse."

He further stated, "No logic can justify an unconstitutional special tribunal to punish the crime of insurrection," and added, "Although an amendment to this unconstitutional bill was submitted today, its essence remains unchanged."

Participating in the filibuster, Jang Donghyuk brought with him books including Constitutional Law (by Sung Nak-in), On Liberty (by John Stuart Mill), Democracy in America (by Alexis de Tocqueville), The Constitution of Liberty (by Friedrich Hayek), and How Democracies Die (by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt).

People Power Party leader Jang Donghyuk is heading to the podium for unlimited debate on the special law concerning the establishment of a dedicated court for the December 3 Yoon Seokyeol emergency martial law and the protection of whistleblowers at the December extraordinary plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 22nd. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Earlier, Park Suhyeon, Chief Spokesperson of the Democratic Party, told reporters after a party caucus at the National Assembly that "the procedure to confirm the party-line position on the special law for the establishment of a dedicated tribunal for insurrection cases has been completed, and it has been adopted as the party's official stance."

This special bill stipulates the establishment of at least two dedicated tribunals for insurrection cases each at the Seoul Central District Court and the Seoul High Court. The Democratic Party leadership revised the original bill twice in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee to avoid constitutional controversy.

The People Power Party immediately launched a filibuster, insisting that even the amended bill is unconstitutional. The Democratic Party is expected to forcibly end the filibuster 24 hours after it begins on December 23 and put the bill to a vote to establish the dedicated tribunal for insurrection cases.