South Korea's Assembly Faces Filibuster Over Special Prosecutor Probe Extension

A contentious bill to extend the investigation period for a special prosecutor has been placed on the agenda for South Korea's National Assembly, immediately triggering a filibuster by the ruling People Power Party. The proposed legislation aims to grant an additional 30 days for the ongoing special prosecutor's probe, which is set to conclude on May 24.

The Democratic Party, the main opposition, argues that the extension is crucial to address lingering public suspicions. Floor leader Han Byung-do cited unresolved issues such as alleged audit failures by the Board of Audit and Inspection and accusations of obstructing the arrest of a former president. He emphasized the need to thoroughly investigate and hold accountable those involved in what the party deems an "insurrection."

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There are still many public suspicions, such as the Board of Audit and Inspection's audit failures and the obstruction of former President Yoon Suk-yeol's arrest, and we cannot stop the special investigation just because of time.

In response, the People Power Party has launched a filibuster, a tactic of prolonged debate to delay or block a vote. Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun, the first speaker, expressed deep regret, stating that the past year has felt like a nation "for the Democratic Party, by the Democratic Party." He invoked the constitution's first article as the paramount value for lawmakers.

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I stand here with a heavy heart. Article 1 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea is the starting point of our constitution and the highest value that all of us, as members of the National Assembly, must protect. However, looking back at South Korea over the past year, it is no exaggeration to say it has become a country for the Democratic Party, by the Democratic Party.

Rep. Jung Jin-suk, the People Power Party's interim leader, condemned the bill during a rally, questioning the logic of extending a special prosecutor's term under the guise of supplementary investigation after previously seeking to abolish the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights. He vowed that his party would use the filibuster to expose what he called the "unscrupulous reality" of the opposition's actions, accusing them of trampling on basic principles of dialogue and compromise.

The Democratic Party plans to end the filibuster and vote on the bill by the afternoon of May 21. Under parliamentary rules, a filibuster can be forcibly ended after 24 hours with the consent of three-fifths of the National Assembly members.

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After trying to take away and abolish the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights, you are now extending the special investigation under the pretext of supplementary investigation, extending it again and again. Does this make any sense? We will use the filibuster to expose the unscrupulous reality to the public.