The so-called "manipulated prosecution (cancellation of charges) special prosecutor bill," pushed by the Democratic Party, was presented at the National Assembly plenary session on November 5. The People Power Party initiated a filibuster against the bill, marking the 35th filibuster since the 22nd National Assembly opened in June 2024. The People Power Party plans to continue its protests outside the Assembly if the special prosecutor bill passes after the filibuster.
Negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties continued until the morning of the plenary session regarding the schedule and the bills to be presented, but they ultimately failed to reach an agreement. The disagreement centered on allowing a special prosecutor to investigate the prosecution process related to President Lee Jae-myung.
Han Byeong-do, the Democratic Party's floor leader, stated after the negotiations collapsed, "The opposition completely removed the provisions regarding the cancellation of charges that they had previously raised concerns about, and all related prosecution content has been meticulously organized and removed. Therefore, there is no justification for the opposition to oppose this bill, and it must be passed."
In contrast, Jeong Jeom-sik, the People Power Party's floor leader, warned during a party meeting before the plenary session, "The ruling party has turned into a private investigation agency that absolves presidential crimes. The 160 Democratic Party lawmakers who are cooperating to pass this historically terrible bill will be recorded in history textbooks as infamous."
He particularly condemned the inclusion of incidents from the Moon Jae-in administration in the special prosecutor's investigative scope, stating, "This is a 'get-out-of-jail-free card' scheme to absolve the Moon administration's heinous crimes in exchange for support from pro-Moon factions."
The Democratic Party intended to present six bills during the plenary session, but only the manipulated prosecution special prosecutor bill was brought forward, interpreted as a retreat after the People Power Party announced plans to filibuster all bills.
The first speaker in the filibuster, Park Hyung-soo, the opposition's representative on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, remarked, "I have participated in countless filibusters in the National Assembly, but I never imagined I would oppose (debate) such a disheartening topic today. Today, democracy and the rule of law in South Korea have died."
He criticized National Assembly Speaker Yoo Jeong-sik for presenting the special prosecutor bill to the plenary session after failing to reach an agreement between the parties, suggesting, "You might as well return to the Democratic Party and serve as a presidential advisor. This bill is nothing but a law to save President Lee Jae-myung and absolve him of guilt."
While the People Power Party has initiated a filibuster to resist the bill, it appears challenging to prevent its passage. The Democratic Party and other pro-government factions hold more than two-thirds of the seats, allowing them to easily process the motion to end the filibuster. The vote on the motion to end the filibuster is expected to take place around 4 p.m. on November 6.
If the motion to end the filibuster and the special prosecutor bill pass in the plenary session, the People Power Party plans to shift its protests outside the Assembly. On the same day, senior lawmakers from the People Power Party visited the Speaker's office to express their objections and held a rally in front of the plenary session hall before proceeding with the filibuster.
However, if they cannot prevent the bill's passage, they intend to take their protests outside to engage in public opinion battles. The People Power Party has scheduled an outdoor rally at Gyeongbokgung Station in Jongno on November 7, a Supreme Council meeting and one-person protests in front of the Blue House on November 9, and a general meeting of lawmakers in front of the Blue House on November 10.
Meanwhile, prior to the presentation of the manipulated prosecution special prosecutor bill, the National Assembly, led by pro-government factions, passed a resolution calling for the expulsion of Kim Tae-kyu from the People Power Party and a resolution to establish a special committee for ultra-wide area strategic industrial zones. The People Power Party did not participate in the vote.
Negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties continued until the morning of the plenary session regarding the schedule and the bills to be presented, but they ultimately failed to reach an agreement. The disagreement centered on allowing a special prosecutor to investigate the prosecution process related to President Lee Jae-myung.
Han Byeong-do, the Democratic Party's floor leader, stated after the negotiations collapsed, "The opposition completely removed the provisions regarding the cancellation of charges that they had previously raised concerns about, and all related prosecution content has been meticulously organized and removed. Therefore, there is no justification for the opposition to oppose this bill, and it must be passed."
In contrast, Jeong Jeom-sik, the People Power Party's floor leader, warned during a party meeting before the plenary session, "The ruling party has turned into a private investigation agency that absolves presidential crimes. The 160 Democratic Party lawmakers who are cooperating to pass this historically terrible bill will be recorded in history textbooks as infamous."
He particularly condemned the inclusion of incidents from the Moon Jae-in administration in the special prosecutor's investigative scope, stating, "This is a 'get-out-of-jail-free card' scheme to absolve the Moon administration's heinous crimes in exchange for support from pro-Moon factions."
The Democratic Party intended to present six bills during the plenary session, but only the manipulated prosecution special prosecutor bill was brought forward, interpreted as a retreat after the People Power Party announced plans to filibuster all bills.
The first speaker in the filibuster, Park Hyung-soo, the opposition's representative on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, remarked, "I have participated in countless filibusters in the National Assembly, but I never imagined I would oppose (debate) such a disheartening topic today. Today, democracy and the rule of law in South Korea have died."
He criticized National Assembly Speaker Yoo Jeong-sik for presenting the special prosecutor bill to the plenary session after failing to reach an agreement between the parties, suggesting, "You might as well return to the Democratic Party and serve as a presidential advisor. This bill is nothing but a law to save President Lee Jae-myung and absolve him of guilt."
While the People Power Party has initiated a filibuster to resist the bill, it appears challenging to prevent its passage. The Democratic Party and other pro-government factions hold more than two-thirds of the seats, allowing them to easily process the motion to end the filibuster. The vote on the motion to end the filibuster is expected to take place around 4 p.m. on November 6.
If the motion to end the filibuster and the special prosecutor bill pass in the plenary session, the People Power Party plans to shift its protests outside the Assembly. On the same day, senior lawmakers from the People Power Party visited the Speaker's office to express their objections and held a rally in front of the plenary session hall before proceeding with the filibuster.
However, if they cannot prevent the bill's passage, they intend to take their protests outside to engage in public opinion battles. The People Power Party has scheduled an outdoor rally at Gyeongbokgung Station in Jongno on November 7, a Supreme Council meeting and one-person protests in front of the Blue House on November 9, and a general meeting of lawmakers in front of the Blue House on November 10.
Meanwhile, prior to the presentation of the manipulated prosecution special prosecutor bill, the National Assembly, led by pro-government factions, passed a resolution calling for the expulsion of Kim Tae-kyu from the People Power Party and a resolution to establish a special committee for ultra-wide area strategic industrial zones. The People Power Party did not participate in the vote.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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