Chung Syekyun: "Legislation and Judiciary Committee Has Turned Into a Battleground... National Assembly Has Degenerated From Legislative Branch to 'Rubber-Stamp Branch'"

Candid Remarks at Ruling Party Lawmakers' Forum Seminar

"It Seems the Filibuster System Is Going Backward"

"Political Institutions and Culture Must Change in a Way That Helps the People"

Former National Assembly Speaker Chung Syekyun took aim at the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the 25th, saying, "The National Assembly is the legislative branch, but hasn't it degenerated into a 'rubber-stamp branch'? It is problematic for parliament to ram things through unilaterally just by numbers," adding, "Parliamentarianism means that minority opinions must also be listened to and reflected."

On this day, Chung gave a lecture on the theme of "Institutions and Culture for Restoring Political Trust" at the 10th seminar of the Forum for Parliamentary Democracy Opening the Future, held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building. He said, "The Legislation and Judiciary Committee is originally a place to revise wording and review consistency and structure, and if it believes there is a problem with the content of a bill, it is supposed to send it back to the standing committee for further deliberation." He went on, "During the 17th National Assembly, when the Grand National Party locked the doors of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and began paralyzing it, it turned into a battleground. This is not normal."

(Seoul=Yonhap News) Bae Jaeman reports: Chung Syekyun, former Speaker of the National Assembly, is delivering a lecture on "Institutions and Culture for Restoring Political Trust" at the 10th seminar of the Parliamentary Democracy Forum Opening the Future held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on February 25, 2026. 2026.2.25 scoop@yna.co.kr(End)

Regarding the National Assembly, where since the previous day a filibuster (unlimited debate) standoff has been unfolding for up to seven nights and eight days, he criticized, "It seems the filibuster system is going backward."

Chung said, "The filibuster originally exists to help keep parliamentarianism alive, but instead it is destroying and neutralizing parliamentarianism. Parliamentarianism is not about blindly competing and fighting," adding, "Parliamentarianism is about achieving something the people need through dialogue and compromise."

He continued, "This system was introduced in the United States, but in the United States there is no filibuster system in the House of Representatives; it exists only in the Senate. That is how state affairs can function," and added, "When the filibuster system was first introduced in our country, it was used in a very restrained way, such as communicating with the public and drawing attention to public opinion over the Anti-Terrorism Act, but now it has become purely about fighting."

Chung pointed out, "Aren't they even filibustering bills they themselves support? How ridiculous is that," adding, "That is the reality of Korean politics."

While saying that the filibuster system needs to be evaluated and improved, he cited the example of the United States. He explained that in the United States, even if a filibuster is declared, it does not mean unlimited debate continues indefinitely; until the number of seats needed to end a filibuster (three-fifths of the members duly chosen and sworn) is secured, the bill in question is put on hold, and other agenda items are handled.

He continued, "Our country has also operated the system for 16 years since 2012, but by falling into a rut and just doing things the way they have been done until now, it has inconvenienced the public and caused inefficiency in the National Assembly. During the filibuster, the National Assembly has been deprived of time to work," he pointed out.

In addition, regarding the recent institutional change that allows the Speaker of the National Assembly to delegate the authority to preside when a filibuster is underway, he said, "It became impossible to proceed because the opposition party's Deputy Speaker refused to preside, so the authority to preside was delegated, but that is somewhat problematic," adding, "The authority of the Speaker lies in presiding over the session, and if even that is handed over to a standing committee chair, the authority of the parliament will be diminished to that extent."

Chung said, "Will the National Assembly change just by revising the system? Culture is more important," and added, "Parliament and the leaders who make up our parliament must think about how to change the culture in a more productive, people-oriented direction."

He said, "We must build a Republic of Korea where people can go about their lives forgetting about politics. Right now we are in a state of political excess," adding, "I hope that, while overhauling the system and changing the culture, politics will become a source of strength for the people."

In addition, Chung suggested as directions the National Assembly should pursue the abolition of party banners and the refinement of the National Assembly Code of Ethics and Conduct in order to correct abusive and inflammatory politics.

At the seminar, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Youngjin attended along with lawmakers Seo Youngkyo, Kim Kyoheung, Kim Byungjoo, Song Kiheon, Choi Minhee, Kim Yoon, and Park Minkyu. Seo Wangjin, floor leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, and Jung Choon-seng, supreme council member of the Innovation Party, were also present.

The Forum for Parliamentary Democracy Opening the Future is a parliamentary study group formed early in the 22nd National Assembly, led mainly by Minister of Justice Jung Sungho and lawmaker Kim Youngjin.