People Power Party Opposes Second Special Prosecutor Bill at January 8 Plenary Session... Will Launch Filibuster if Forced Through

"If the Second Comprehensive Special Prosecutor Bill Passes, Public Resistance Will Be Unavoidable"
"Three Major Special Prosecutors Should End, Remaining Issues Can Be Addressed with Additional Investigations"

On January 6, the People Power Party reiterated its opposition to the Democratic Party's push to pass the second comprehensive special prosecutor bill at the upcoming plenary session scheduled for January 8. The party announced that it would respond with a filibuster (unlimited debate) if the Democratic Party forces the bill through.

Song Unseok, Floor Leader of the People Power Party, who finished a meeting with Woo Wonsik, Speaker of the National Assembly, expressed opposition to the plenary session scheduled for the 8th in front of the Floor Leader's office at the National Assembly on the 6th. Photo by Yonhap News

Song Unseok, Floor Leader of the People Power Party, met with reporters after a meeting with Woo Wonsik, Speaker of the National Assembly, and said, "It seems that Speaker Woo's decision to convene the plenary session on the 8th was strongly influenced by Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheongrae's determination to push the second comprehensive special prosecutor bill through the session. I made it clear to the Speaker that we are firmly opposed to holding the plenary session on January 8."

Song pointed out, "Already, under the pretext of three major special prosecutors, unnecessary and excessive budget has been spent, and nearly 4 billion won in special activity expenses have been used. Despite such a lengthy investigation, the original objectives were not achieved at all, and the only result was excessive oppression of the opposition party." He added, "Due to excessive investigations driven by coercion and pressure, there was even a case where an innocent public official lost their life."

He continued, "The three major special prosecutors should naturally come to an end, and any remaining issues should be handled by the police through supplementary investigations if necessary. If the plenary session is unilaterally forced on the 8th solely for the second special prosecutor bill at this point, it will inevitably face strong public resistance."

The People Power Party stated that if the Democratic Party convenes the plenary session and pushes ahead with the second comprehensive special prosecutor bill, it will also launch a filibuster against even non-contentious bills. Song explained, "Although laws necessary for people's daily lives should be passed, there have been many cases where bills were unilaterally processed without proper discussion in the standing committees or the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. We have no other choice but to discuss participating in the filibuster together."