Filibuster Ends... Jang Donghyuk Continues Hunger Strike
The "Second Comprehensive Special Prosecutor Act (Special Prosecutor Appointment Act for Investigating Insurrection, Foreign Exchange Offenses, and State Affairs Manipulation by Yoon Seokyeol and Kim Gunhee)"-intended to address the shortcomings of the previous "Three Major Special Prosecutor Investigations (Insurrection, Kim Gunhee, Chae Haebyeong)"-passed the National Assembly plenary session on January 16, 2026. With the launch of another large-scale special prosecutor team ahead of the June 3 local elections, political confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties is expected to intensify.
On the 16th, during the January extraordinary plenary session held at the National Assembly, a bill concerning the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the facts related to insurrection, foreign exchange offenses, and state affairs manipulation by Yoon Seokyeol and Kim Gunhee is being processed under the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea. Yonhap News
During the plenary session held that afternoon, the National Assembly passed the Second Comprehensive Special Prosecutor Act with 172 votes in favor and 2 against, out of 174 members present. Lawmakers from the People Power Party did not participate in the vote.
Immediately after the bill was introduced at the previous day’s plenary session, the People Power Party and the Reform Party launched a filibuster-an act of intentionally obstructing parliamentary proceedings through unlimited debate and other legal means-in strong protest. However, by 3:40 p.m. on January 16, the filibuster was ended following a closure motion by the Democratic Party of Korea and other allied lawmakers, and the bill was ultimately passed.
The investigation period for the Second Comprehensive Special Prosecutor Act is up to 170 days, with a maximum of 251 personnel assigned. The investigation will cover allegations of our military inducing a North Korean attack, charges of insurrection and foreign exchange offenses against former President Yoon Seokyeol, and suspicions of his involvement in candidate nominations.
Baek Seungah, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, stated at a briefing immediately after the plenary session, "The passage of the Second Comprehensive Special Prosecutor Act is a responsible decision by the National Assembly in response to the people’s stern demand to restore constitutional order and normalize state affairs," adding, "We will fulfill the comprehensive special prosecutor act for settling insurrection and normalizing state affairs, meeting the demands of the public and the responsibilities of our time."
Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, strongly protested the passage of the Second Comprehensive Special Prosecutor Act and has continued his hunger strike for a second day in the main lobby of the National Assembly building since the afternoon of the previous day.
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