Woo Wonshik and Lee Hakyoung presided for 239 and 238 hours each
Joo Hoyoung refused to preside 7 times... took the chair for only 33 hours
Speaker Woo: "Significant impact on the normal operation of unlimited debate"
On the 23rd, Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Wonshik expressed deep regret over Deputy Speaker Joo Ho-young of the People Power Party refusing to take the chair during the ongoing filibuster (unlimited debate) situation, stating, "I am very disappointed that the refusal to preside has led to the infringement of the right to guarantee unlimited debate."
Before the filibuster on the amendment to the Information and Communications Network Act held at the National Assembly on the morning of the same day, Speaker Woo said, "I would like to inform you that the current presiding members are unable to carry out the unlimited debate in a normal manner due to excessive fatigue and unavoidable health reasons," and made the above remarks.
Speaker Woo continued, "Since the opening of the 22nd National Assembly, there have been a total of 10 unlimited debates, amounting to approximately 509 hours. I presided for 239 hours, and Deputy Speaker Lee Hakyoung presided for 238 hours." He went on, "Deputy Speaker Joo Ho-young refused to preside over 7 out of the 10 unlimited debates and only took the chair for 33 hours."
Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is engaging in an unlimited debate on the special law concerning the establishment of a dedicated court for the December 3 Yoon Seokyeol emergency martial law case and the protection of whistleblowers at the December extraordinary plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 22nd. 2025.12.22 Photo by Kim Hyunmin
The rules stipulate that the Speaker of the National Assembly and the two Deputy Speakers are to preside over filibusters. Accordingly, Speaker Woo, Deputy Speaker Lee Hakyoung of the Democratic Party, and Deputy Speaker Joo must take turns presiding.
However, Deputy Speaker Joo refused to preside when the People Power Party initiated filibusters in July and September, and he has also not participated in presiding over the filibusters held from November 11 to 14 and from December 22 to 24. In September, Deputy Speaker Joo stated, while opposing the amendment to the Government Organization Act, "I will not preside over a scene of judicial destruction."
Regarding this, Speaker Woo pointed out, "The Speaker and Deputy Speaker Lee are also human and are experiencing severe physical strain, which is having a significant impact on the normal operation of the unlimited debate."
In particular, referring to the commentary on the National Assembly Act, which states that "in the event of unavoidable circumstances such as a power outage, the unlimited debate may be suspended," Speaker Woo said, "I would like to inform you that the current presiding members are unable to carry out the unlimited debate in a normal manner due to excessive fatigue and unavoidable health reasons." He officially requested Deputy Speaker Joo, "I ask you to take the chair from 11 p.m. tonight until 6 a.m. tomorrow."
On the 9th, during the plenary session held at the National Assembly, Na Kyungwon, a member of the People Power Party, was delivering a filibuster when Woo Wonshik, the Speaker of the National Assembly, turned off the microphone. Lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties came to the podium to protest. December 9, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
Within the ruling party, concerns are being raised about the health of Speaker Woo and Deputy Speaker Lee due to Deputy Speaker Joo's refusal to preside, while simultaneously emphasizing the need to introduce the Filibuster Limitation Act (amendment to the National Assembly Act).
The Filibuster Limitation Act stipulates that if one-fifth of the total members are not present in the chamber during a filibuster, the Speaker may halt the debate and assign the chair to a designated member.
On the other hand, as the bill could restrict filibusters by minority parties and allow the ruling party to control the debate in their favor, not only the People Power Party but also the pro-government Korea Innovation Party are opposing it.
Heo Young, Senior Deputy Floor Leader for Policy of the Democratic Party, stated at the party's policy meeting that morning, "(Deputy Speaker Joo's refusal to preside) is no different from an act of terror, wishing for Speaker Woo and Deputy Speaker Lee to collapse," and called on the Korea Innovation Party to "take a more forward-looking stance on the Proper Filibuster Act (Filibuster Limitation Act)."
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