The National Assembly Steering Committee passed a bill to shorten the fast-track (expedited bill) review period from the current maximum of 330 days to 90 days. The bill is expected to be referred to The National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee and placed on the floor on the 30th.
On the morning of the 29th, the steering committee held a full meeting at the National Assembly and, led by the Democratic Party of Korea, approved an amendment to the National Assembly Act to this effect. The People Power Party opposed the bill and did not take part in the vote.
The amendment changes the fast-track period to a maximum of 90 days—"60 days in the relevant standing committee, 30 days in The National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, and first placement on the floor." The current fast-track review period is a maximum of 330 days—"180 days in the standing committee, 90 days in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, and 60 days on the floor." In effect, the fast-track review period would be cut by more than one-third.
The ruling and opposition parties clashed over handling the bill. The People Power Party criticized it as an "legislative outrage by the majority," while the Democratic Party countered that it was an unavoidable step to ensure smooth operation of the National Assembly.
Kim Seung-soo, senior deputy floor leader for operations of the People Power Party, said at the meeting, "The fast track was introduced to allow efficient deliberation while enabling minority opinions to be expressed through dialogue and compromise between the ruling and opposition parties," adding, "Because there is no in-depth discussion on bills, laws are being enacted and revised more easily than club bylaws."
Cheon Jun-ho, senior deputy floor leader for operations of the Democratic Party, said, "We have repeatedly said that the fast track's effectiveness must be enhanced and made realistic," adding, "It was necessary to prioritize handling institutional reform bills to make a working National Assembly."