Jang Donghyuk Sets 24-Hour Solo Filibuster Record
Opposition Lawmakers Give Standing Ovation... Jang Says, "I Did My Part"
Bill Passes Under Democratic Party Leadership; Ruling Party Calls It "Irresponsible Struggle"
Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, became the first opposition party leader in constitutional history to stage a filibuster (unlimited debate), setting a new record by speaking alone for 24 hours. Although he was unable to block the passage of the bill due to the Democratic Party of Korea's majority in the National Assembly, his efforts were recognized as a significant struggle within political circles. Attention is now focused on whether the People Power Party can use Jang's 'first and longest' filibuster as an opportunity to reverse the political climate.
People Power Party leader Jang Donghyuk is presenting Friedrich Hayek's theory of free constitution during an unlimited debate on the special law regarding the establishment of a dedicated tribunal for the December 3 Yoon Seok-yeol emergency martial law and the protection of whistleblowers at the plenary session of the December extraordinary session of the National Assembly held on the 23rd. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
Jang began his filibuster at around 11:40 a.m. on the previous day, immediately after the 'Special Act on the Establishment of a Dedicated Tribunal for Insurrection' (Special Criminal Procedure Act for Crimes of Insurrection, Treason, and Rebellion) was introduced at the National Assembly plenary session. He continued speaking until 11:40 a.m. on this day, when the filibuster was forcibly ended, totaling 24 hours. This far surpassed the previous domestic record of 17 hours and 12 minutes set by Park Sumin, a fellow party member, making it the longest filibuster in Korean history and the first time a single individual has filled a full day alone.
When Jang finished his filibuster, People Power Party lawmakers in the chamber stood and applauded. Leaders and lawmakers, including floor leader Song Unseok, lined up from the podium to the exit of the chamber, shaking hands and patting Jang on the back as he walked out. Jang's record is comparable to global precedents: Strom Thurmond, then a U.S. senator, spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes in 1957 in opposition to the Civil Rights Act, and Senator Cory Booker spoke for 25 hours and 5 minutes last April criticizing President Donald Trump's policies.
After completing the filibuster, Jang told reporters, "There is no need for debate on the unconstitutionality of establishing a dedicated tribunal for insurrection," adding, "Even Democratic Party lawmakers will acknowledge its unconstitutionality." He continued, "Nevertheless, the reason for pushing this law is, I believe, to create a special court tailored to the Democratic Party's preferences, so they can obtain the rulings they want at the time they want." He also said, "I have done everything I could in the National Assembly and before the people." He further urged, "Even if this law passes, I strongly recommend that President Lee Jaemyung exercise his veto power."
People Power Party leader Jang Donghyuk is receiving encouragement from fellow lawmakers after setting the longest filibuster record in history (a legal parliamentary procedure to delay proceedings through unlimited debate) during a debate opposing the special law on the establishment of a dedicated court for the December 3 Yoon Seokyeol martial law case and the protection of whistleblowers at the December extraordinary plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 23rd. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
Earlier, at around 5 a.m. on this day, when Jang broke the previous filibuster record, applause erupted in the chamber along with shouts of "You broke the record!" Floor leader Song Unseok notified lawmakers, saying, "Chairman Jang is conducting the unlimited debate with a desperate and earnest heart," and urged, "Everyone must join together with the determination to prevent the destruction of the judiciary." Chief spokesperson Park Sunghoon had said the day before, "He is prepared to go for 24 hours," but within political circles, the reaction was, "We didn't know he would actually do it."
People Power Party lawmakers including Choo Kyungho, Choi Eunseok, Han Jia, Kim Minjeon, and Kang Sunyoung, as well as Minister of Justice Jeong Seongho, remained in the chamber. Lawmakers such as Choo Kyungho and Jo Jiyeon voiced their support by shouting, "Chairman, stay strong!" and "Fighting!" Lawmaker Lim Ija criticized the special act on the establishment of a dedicated tribunal for insurrection, saying, "This is being done by people who don't even know the basics of legal studies," and added, "Democratic Party lawmakers should start over from the basics of law." When Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byungjoo strongly protested to Jang, insisting on the need for a supporting debate in the morning, a commotion broke out as Song Unseok and other People Power Party lawmakers pushed back.
Jang, who took to the podium with five books, including 'Constitutional Law' by Seoul National University emeritus professor Sung Nak-in and 'On Liberty' by John Stuart Mill, repeatedly emphasized the illegality and unconstitutionality of establishing a dedicated tribunal for insurrection. Jang stated, "We are living in a country where silent martial law has become the norm," and "The inherent limitation of majority rule in democracy is the need to consider minorities; the moment we cross that line, democracy becomes nothing more than dictatorship disguised as majority rule."
People Power Party representative Jang Donghyuk is holding an unlimited debate on the special law concerning the establishment of a dedicated tribunal for the December 3 Yoon Seokyeol emergency martial law and the protection of whistleblowers during the December extraordinary plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 23rd, while Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byungjoo protests by pointing out the necessity of support discussion. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
Reactions to Jang's filibuster were divided along party lines. Floor leader Song Unseok held a press conference, saying, "It was an incredible display of mental strength, a fierce struggle, and total dedication," and added, "The party leader himself personally demonstrated a strong will to focus the party's efforts on stopping the five evil laws that destroy the judiciary, undermine the independence of the judiciary, the separation of powers, and constitutional values." On the other hand, Han Jeongae, chair of the Democratic Party's Policy Committee, criticized at a party meeting, "Now is the time to deal with livelihood bills," and said, "The People Power Party's filibuster is nothing more than an irresponsible political struggle that has abandoned both justification and responsibility."
Jang plans to use the filibuster as an opportunity to strengthen internal unity while also expanding outreach to centrist voters. A member of the People Power Party leadership said, "We are preparing specific plans for expanding our reach," and explained, "It is most effective to deliver our message when issues such as housing and exchange rates come to the forefront." Previously, at a party member education event in North Chungcheong Province on the 19th, Jang suggested a shift from the party's traditional hardline conservative stance, saying, "Now is the time for change." However, some analysts believe it will be difficult for Jang to change his position on sensitive issues such as severing ties with former President Yoon Seokyeol or investigating the party bulletin board incident involving former leader Han Donghoon.
People Power Party leader Jang Donghyuk hugged floor leader Song Unseok after finishing a filibuster (a legal parliamentary procedure to obstruct proceedings through 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 plenary session of the December extraordinary session held at the National Assembly on the 23rd. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
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