The filibuster (unlimited debate) on a bill to amend the National Assembly Act to cut the fast-track (expedited agenda) review period from up to 330 days to 90 days ended automatically at 12 a.m. on the 1st with the close of the July extraordinary session. It was 7 hours and 23 minutes after the bill was placed on the floor the previous day.
The National Assembly, led by the Democratic Party of Korea, placed the National Assembly Act amendment on the floor on the afternoon of the 31st. The People Power Party began a filibuster at about 4:35 p.m.
The amendment would reduce the review deadline for fast-track bills from 180 days to 60 days in standing committees, and from 90 days to 30 days in The National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee. It also moves up the floor introduction deadline, currently set as within 60 days after being referred to the full session, to the first full session convened after referral.
Kim Mi-ae of the People Power Party, the first debater, spoke in opposition for 4 hours and 22 minutes. Kim said, "Is this a law that absolutely must pass today? Is this livelihood legislation?" and criticized, "The Democratic Party is turning the National Assembly into a rubber stamp to protect the president and a bulletproof legislation factory."
Moon Geum-ju of the Democratic Party was the second debater and expressed support for 1 hour and 47 minutes. Moon called the amendment "a reform plan that cuts the chains of deadlock that have driven the National Assembly into a chronic legislative paralysis for 12 years," adding that it is "to revive livelihood bills tied up in standing committees and the Legislation and Judiciary Committee."
Kim Min-jeon of the People Power Party, the third debater, spoke in opposition for about 1 hour and 11 minutes. Kim argued, "Saying you will make the expedited processing system even more expedited means going back to a National Assembly of the authoritarian government era."
Under the National Assembly Act, a filibuster can be forcibly ended with the approval of three-fifths of all members after 24 hours have passed since it began. However, if the session ends during the unlimited debate, the debate is deemed concluded.
As the National Assembly shortened the July extraordinary session on the 30th from Aug. 4 to Aug. 1, the filibuster ended automatically at 12 a.m. that day. Under the National Assembly Act, the amendment must be put to a vote without delay in the next session. The Democratic Party plans to handle the amendment at the first plenary session of the August extraordinary session.