The People Power Party has resumed its filibuster to respond to the Democratic Party of Korea's contentious bill processing. As a minority opposition party, there are not many means to prevent the ruling party from forcefully legislating, but the plan is to respond as much as possible through the filibuster. Since the ruling party can ultimately end the filibuster and pass all bills, voices of helplessness are also emerging within the People Power Party.
The People Power Party began a filibuster on the amendment to the Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act (EBS Act) at the plenary session of the National Assembly held on the 21st. The first speaker for the filibuster was Representative Choi Hyeong-du, the People Power Party's secretary of the Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee. Representative Lee Jeong-heon, also from the same committee, will be the next speaker for the filibuster on behalf of the Democratic Party.
The Democratic Party passed the Korea Broadcasting and Communication Promotion Act during the plenary session that day and immediately presented the EBS Act. On the 23rd, it plans to put the yellow envelope law (amendment of Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act) to a vote, followed by the second amendment to the Commercial Act on the 24th. Although the People Power Party is responding with a filibuster to block the bill processing, according to the National Assembly Act, a filibuster can be terminated with a vote of three-fifths of the members present after 24 hours, so the contentious bills are likely to pass through the plenary session.
The People Power Party finds itself in a situation where there are no good options for response. This is because there are nearly 190 seats occupied by the ruling coalition, leaving the People Power Party without any measures to take. Nevertheless, the Democratic Party decided to proceed with the filibuster with the intention of forcibly enacting contentious bills without agreement from both parties and providing detailed information on the social impact of the bills.
Song Eon-seok, chairman of the emergency response committee and floor leader of the People Power Party, said at a meeting of lawmakers held before the plenary session, "In fact, we are a minority opposition party, so it is not easy to block these bad laws by physical means"; however, he added, "We must continue the filibuster to clearly inform the public that (the contentious bills) do not help the national interest at all."
Representative Choi Hyeong-du of the People Power Party, who participated in the filibuster, also said, "Since the majority party controls the seats and can do as they please in the standing committee, the filibuster is an appeal by the minority party to its limits"; he further expressed hope that Democratic Party representatives would also consider voices outside the party line through the filibuster.
Within the People Power Party, there are reports of feelings of helplessness as their options for response are limited to the filibuster. Following the election of a new leadership at the party convention on the 22nd, there have also been opinions that they should respond to the ruling party's forceful legislation as a united front.
A member of the People Power Party said, "It is unfortunate that there is no way to respond to the ruling party's refusal to engage in dialogue with the opposition and unilaterally process legislation"; he emphasized that "It is important to elect a leadership quickly and organize our resources to bring out (the People Power Party's) capabilities."