The Democratic Party, which has declared a focus on livelihoods during the regular National Assembly session, has decided not to bring the Special Prosecutor Bill regarding alleged fabricated prosecutions and the Democratic Heroes Bill to the upcoming plenary session scheduled for October 1. While this decision has averted a worst-case scenario of political deadlock ahead of the National Assembly's audit, disputes remain over the Industrial Safety and Health Act and the Urban Redevelopment Act, which are still expected to be brought to the floor, leaving the potential for conflict, including unlimited debate (filibuster), unresolved.
Jeon Eun-soo, the Democratic Party's floor spokesperson, announced after a party meeting on September 29 that the party would not present the so-called Special Prosecutor Bill, which investigates allegations of fabricated prosecutions by the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's prosecution in cases such as the Daejang-dong incident and the North Korean remittance case. The Democratic Party also agreed not to present the Democratic Heroes Bill at the plenary session.
Jeon stated, "There is a consensus on the necessity of the Special Prosecutor Bill and the Democratic Heroes Bill within the party," but added, "The timing for processing these bills will be determined after gathering opinions within the party, looking towards after the National Assembly audit."
The Democratic Party's decision is rooted in its leadership's commitment to prioritize livelihoods during this year's National Assembly audit. With party leader Kim Min-seok and floor leader Han Byeong-do emphasizing the importance of livelihoods, the party appears to have concluded that it must avoid a situation where political issues exacerbate tensions between the ruling and opposition parties.
Previously, the People Power Party had warned that it would respond with a filibuster if the Special Prosecutor Bill and other unresolved bills were presented. While the Democratic Party's retreat has averted the worst-case scenario, the potential for conflict remains over the Industrial Safety and Health Act and the Urban Redevelopment Act, which are still expected to be brought to the plenary session.
The proposed amendment to the Industrial Safety and Health Act includes imposing a fine equivalent to 5% of operating profit if three or more fatalities occur within a year. The People Power Party argues that this fine is excessive and should be capped at 5 billion won. The Urban Redevelopment Act amendment centers on the cap on floor area ratios for private redevelopment and reconstruction projects.
Jeon mentioned the possibility of the People Power Party requesting a filibuster on both bills but stressed, "For the sake of livelihoods, these two bills must be passed."
The People Power Party has expressed its opposition to the bills that the Democratic Party plans to present. Floor spokesperson Choi Soo-jin explained to reporters after the party meeting, "The fines in the Industrial Safety and Health Act amendment are excessive, and the issue of easing floor area ratios for private developers in the Urban Redevelopment Act has not reached an agreement." However, she refrained from confirming whether a filibuster would be requested for the two bills.
Earlier, there were speculations in political circles that the Democratic Party would present the Special Prosecutor Bill and the Democratic Heroes Bill at the plenary session on October 1, prompting the People Power Party to respond with a filibuster. However, with the Democratic Party prioritizing livelihoods and deciding to postpone the handling of political issues, it seems that the People Power Party will also have to make adjustments.
Jeon Eun-soo, the Democratic Party's floor spokesperson, announced after a party meeting on September 29 that the party would not present the so-called Special Prosecutor Bill, which investigates allegations of fabricated prosecutions by the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's prosecution in cases such as the Daejang-dong incident and the North Korean remittance case. The Democratic Party also agreed not to present the Democratic Heroes Bill at the plenary session.
Jeon stated, "There is a consensus on the necessity of the Special Prosecutor Bill and the Democratic Heroes Bill within the party," but added, "The timing for processing these bills will be determined after gathering opinions within the party, looking towards after the National Assembly audit."
The Democratic Party's decision is rooted in its leadership's commitment to prioritize livelihoods during this year's National Assembly audit. With party leader Kim Min-seok and floor leader Han Byeong-do emphasizing the importance of livelihoods, the party appears to have concluded that it must avoid a situation where political issues exacerbate tensions between the ruling and opposition parties.
Previously, the People Power Party had warned that it would respond with a filibuster if the Special Prosecutor Bill and other unresolved bills were presented. While the Democratic Party's retreat has averted the worst-case scenario, the potential for conflict remains over the Industrial Safety and Health Act and the Urban Redevelopment Act, which are still expected to be brought to the plenary session.
The proposed amendment to the Industrial Safety and Health Act includes imposing a fine equivalent to 5% of operating profit if three or more fatalities occur within a year. The People Power Party argues that this fine is excessive and should be capped at 5 billion won. The Urban Redevelopment Act amendment centers on the cap on floor area ratios for private redevelopment and reconstruction projects.
Jeon mentioned the possibility of the People Power Party requesting a filibuster on both bills but stressed, "For the sake of livelihoods, these two bills must be passed."
The People Power Party has expressed its opposition to the bills that the Democratic Party plans to present. Floor spokesperson Choi Soo-jin explained to reporters after the party meeting, "The fines in the Industrial Safety and Health Act amendment are excessive, and the issue of easing floor area ratios for private developers in the Urban Redevelopment Act has not reached an agreement." However, she refrained from confirming whether a filibuster would be requested for the two bills.
Earlier, there were speculations in political circles that the Democratic Party would present the Special Prosecutor Bill and the Democratic Heroes Bill at the plenary session on October 1, prompting the People Power Party to respond with a filibuster. However, with the Democratic Party prioritizing livelihoods and deciding to postpone the handling of political issues, it seems that the People Power Party will also have to make adjustments.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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