Democratic Party to Table Distortion of Law Bill on the 25th
People Power Party Continues Second Day of Filibuster
Possibility of Introducing a Revised Distortion of Law Bill
The People Power Party will continue its filibuster (unlimited debate) at the plenary session of the National Assembly to be held on the 25th. As the Democratic Party of Korea has announced that it will put the judicial reform bill on the distortion of law to a vote on this day, the People Power Party plans to focus on blocking it. There is also a possibility that a revised version of the distortion of law bill will be introduced.
Cho Seunghwan, a People Power Party lawmaker, is continuing a filibuster (unlimited debate) on the third amendment to the Commercial Act at the 8th plenary session of the February extraordinary session of the National Assembly on the 25th. Yonhap News
The Democratic Party plans to immediately put the distortion of law bill on the agenda after voting on the third amendment to the Commercial Act, which was tabled the previous day, once the 24-hour period has elapsed that allows the People Power Party’s filibuster on the Commercial Act to be terminated. The distortion of law bill is a proposed amendment to the Criminal Act that would punish judges and prosecutors if they distort legal principles or manipulate facts during trials. After that, the Democratic Party intends to push through the remaining judicial reform bills in succession, namely the constitutional complaint for trials and the increase in the number of Supreme Court justices.
The People Power Party is maintaining its opposition, calling the judicial reform drive a "legislative coup that destroys the constitutional order." In a commentary released on this day, Choi Sujin, the People Power Party’s chief spokesperson for floor affairs, warned of a full-blown confrontation, saying, "We will mobilize every possible means, including the filibuster, to block this ruinous evil law at all costs." If the distortion of law bill is put on the agenda on this day, lawmakers Cho Baesook, Joo Jinwoo, and Lee Manhee are scheduled to immediately begin a filibuster.
The possibility that a revised version of the distortion of law bill could be introduced is an additional variable. A Democratic Party official said, "Once the Commercial Act is dealt with, there is a possibility of discussions on a revised bill because the Criminal Act will be brought up next," adding, "It is possible that a conclusion will be reached at the general meeting of lawmakers." It is known that the previous day, at the general meeting, Democratic Party lawmaker Kwak Sang-eon expressed the view that further deliberation was needed, arguing that the distortion of law bill could unduly restrict legal interpretation and may be unconstitutional.
Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, expressed his support for the distortion of law bill on social media (SNS) on this day, but added, "Among the provisions of the distortion of law bill that passed the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, the clause stating that 'if the law is intentionally misapplied to benefit or disadvantage one party' needs to be revised or deleted before it is brought to the plenary session."
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