[사진 = 연합뉴스]The ‘Filibuster (unlimited discussion)’, which the People’s Power applied for to block the passage of the ‘Inspection and complete deprivation of the prosecution’s investigation authority’, which was proposed at the plenary session of the National Assembly on the 27th, was automatically terminated as of 00:00 on the 28th.
In the afternoon of the previous day, at the plenary session of the National Assembly, an amendment to the Prosecutor’s Office Act was proposed and unrestricted discussion was held. Unlimited discussions, so-called filibusters, ended in 6 hours and 48 minutes after the plenary session on this day limited the period of the extraordinary session to 27 days.
When the Democratic Party of Korea proposed an amendment to the Prosecutor’s Office Act to separate the prosecution’s investigative and prosecuting powers at the plenary session on the same day, and began the process of enforcing the ‘Complete Inspection’ bill, the people’s power immediately began to engage in unrestricted discussions to delay the legislation.
In the unrestricted discussion, People’s Power floor leader Kwon Seong-dong, Minjoo Party lawmaker Kim Jong-min, People’s Power lawmaker Kim Woong, and Democratic Party lawmaker Ahn Min-seok took to the podium in order. Rep. Kwon Seong-dong and Rep. Kim Woong expressed their opposition, while Rep. Kim Jong-min and Rep. Ahn Min-seok expressed their support. However, as the unlimited debate was forcibly ended at midnight, People’s Power Kim Hyung-dong, Basic Income Party Yong Hye-in, and People’s Power Rep. Kim Mi-ae, who were waiting as speakers, did not make it to the podium.
Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader, said, “The reason the Democratic Party put an unreasonable number in the period of taking over the government is because they were afraid that the reality of corruption during the past five years, which had been barely blocked by the presidential power, would be exposed in front of the public. Are you afraid? This is the background that gave birth to the Inspection and Completion Act with the intention to pass on the damage to the public and escape from the crime.”
Rep. Kim Woong also said, “In addition, why is the Democratic Party collapsing the criminal justice system that it has maintained for 70 years as if it were a military operation? Advanced prosecution, separation of investigation and prosecution, everything is a lie.” It is to prevent the Ministry of Resources’ nuclear power plant corruption case and Ulsan mayor’s election interference case.”
On the other hand, the Democratic Party emphasized the legitimacy of the legislation. Rep. Kim Jong-min emphasized, “All investigations should be under control.” He emphasized, “If we stop the political fight and discuss what to improve for just one year, we can open the path to democratic justice.”
Rep. Ahn Min-seok criticized the prosecution’s investigation of bribes targeting the late Kim Jae-yoon, a former member of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy, as “a planned investigation by the political prosecution” and said, “(Political prosecution) We are preparing for retaliation. We will fight together with the people in this era of barbarism.”
At 11:59 p.m., National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok said, “It is in the order of Rep. Kim Hyung-dong, the People’s Strength, but the (provisional meeting) ends at 12:00. At the same time as Rep. Kim walked out, the next day, at midnight, an extraordinary meeting was declared, saying, “According to the National Assembly Act, the extraordinary meeting can no longer be held.”
The National Assembly Act stipulates that when the unlimited debate is ended due to the end of the session, etc., it must be immediately voted on at the next plenary session. Therefore, the oversight bill will be dealt with at the plenary session convened on the 30th. As a result, a fierce battle over public opinion is expected to escalate until the weekend.
The Democratic Party plans to convene an extraordinary meeting again next week to deal with the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which is another ‘complete inspection’ bill. Considering the second filibuster of the People’s Power, the passing date of the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act is expected to be the 3rd of next month.
[조성신 매경닷컴 기자]
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