Joo Ho-young: "Refusing to Preside Over Filibuster Is the Minimum Resistance for Parliamentary Democracy"

In response to Woo Won-shik's concerns over physical exhaustion: "Session schedule can be adjusted flexibly"
Calls for withdrawal of the Democratic Party's resolution urging resignation

Joo Ho-young, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and a member of the People Power Party, reiterated on the 23rd his refusal to preside over the unlimited debate (filibuster). Regarding the request for his return due to the physical limitations expressed by Speaker Woo Won-shik and other members of the presiding panel, he said, "I do feel sorry," but added, "There are certainly ways to adjust the session schedule flexibly."

Deputy Speaker Joo expressed his position regarding his refusal to preside over the filibuster through social media on this day. He described his refusal as "the minimum exercise of veto power for parliamentary democracy," and pointed out, "The contents of the bills introduced this time are absolutely unacceptable in a democratic country." Deputy Speaker Joo explained, "If Speaker Woo had declared that the bills unilaterally submitted by the Democratic Party could not be tabled due to lack of agreement with the opposition, and had called in the floor leaders of both parties to negotiate, today's filibuster would not have happened." He further stated, "Refusing to preside over the plenary session is the minimum resistance I can offer as Deputy Speaker to protect the National Assembly and democracy under these circumstances."

Joo Ho-young, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, is delivering a congratulatory speech at the inauguration ceremony of the National Assembly Future Industry Forum held at Sarangjae, the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on April 22, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

In addition, Deputy Speaker Joo called for the withdrawal of the Democratic Party's resolution urging his resignation over his refusal to preside over the filibuster, and also demanded a change in Speaker Woo's stance regarding his instruction to Na Kyung-won, a People Power Party lawmaker, to "only speak on matters related to the agenda" during the filibuster.

Regarding the difficulties raised by Speaker Woo and Deputy Speaker Lee Hak-young of the Democratic Party in presiding over the filibuster, Joo said, "If you cannot preside due to physical exhaustion, it would be better to take a break from the session for a few days and then resume. Unlimited debate is a system that slows down the legislative process. Taking a few days off in between does not cause procedural problems." He added, "Instead of pushing through daily sessions and citing physical exhaustion, there are certainly ways to adjust the session schedule flexibly."

Previously, Speaker Woo, ahead of the filibuster on the amendment to the Information and Communications Network Act, stated in a plenary session, "I deeply regret that the refusal of Deputy Speaker Joo to preside has led to the infringement of the right to guarantee unlimited debate," and pointed out, "Both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker Lee are only human and are feeling a serious physical burden, and we believe this situation is having a significant impact on the normal operation of unlimited debate."