🚨 Filibuster

Today Korean Social News for Beginners | 2025.08.05

0️⃣ Unlimited Debate Tactics for Legislative Delay and Parliamentary Check System

📌 Broadcasting Act Submitted to Plenary Session…Filibuster Begins but Expected to be Processed Tomorrow

💬 As the Broadcasting Act amendment aimed at reorganizing public broadcasting governance was submitted to the National Assembly plenary session on the 4th, the People Power Party launched a filibuster. The People Power Party applied for unlimited debate to try to block the bill, but the Democratic Party immediately submitted a motion to end debate, making it likely that the bill will be processed at 4 PM on the 5th, 24 hours later. The Broadcasting Act amendment includes expanding the number of KBS directors and introducing a special majority system for president selection. When the debate ends, the bill is expected to be processed under the leadership of the Democratic Party, which holds a majority of seats, raising controversy about the actual effectiveness of the filibuster.

💡 Summary

• A filibuster is an unlimited debate system used to delay bill processing in the National Assembly.
• It begins when more than one-third of registered members apply and can be ended with approval from more than three-fifths.
• It serves as a check by minority parties, but its actual effect is limited when ending requirements are met.

1️⃣ Definition

Filibuster refers to an unlimited debate system that continues speeches without time limits to delay bill processing in the National Assembly. Derived from an English word meaning "piracy," this system is used as a legal means for minority parties to check the unilateral processing of bills by majority parties.

Based on Article 106-2 of Korea's National Assembly Act, this system begins when more than one-third of registered members apply, and allows lawmakers to continue debates without time limits. This provides opportunities for sufficient discussion of bills and raising public awareness.

💡 Why is this important?

• It's a democratic device that allows minority parties to check the dominance of majority parties.
• It serves to inform citizens about bill contents and issues.
• It's a political tool that encourages negotiation and compromise between ruling and opposition parties.
• It implements the principle of checks and balances in the legislature.

2️⃣ Operating Methods and Procedures of Filibuster

📕 Initiation and Ending Procedures

• Specific requirements are needed to start a filibuster. Main procedures include:

  • More than one-third of registered members (about 100 members based on current National Assembly standards) must apply.
  • It begins when the Speaker declares the start of unlimited debate in the plenary session.
  • Applying members take turns speaking without time limits.
  • During speeches, members cannot leave their seats except to read materials or drink water.

• Special procedures also apply to ending debates. Main methods include:

  • A motion to end debate can only be made after 24 hours have passed since the debate started.
  • More than three-fifths of registered members (about 180 based on current standards) must agree to end it.
  • When the motion to end is passed, it immediately moves to voting on the main bill.
  • If ending requirements are not met, the debate continues.

📕 Actual Operating Cases and Characteristics

• It has been used several times in Korea's National Assembly. Major cases include:

  • The Justice Party and Democratic Party conducted it for 192 hours over the Anti-Terrorism Act in 2016.
  • It was also used for the Labor Standards Act amendment in 2017, receiving national attention.
  • It was implemented for election law amendments in 2019 and real estate-related bills in 2020.
  • For this Broadcasting Act amendment, the People Power Party applied but it's expected to end after 24 hours.

• It has special features compared to other countries. Main characteristics include:

  • Unlike the US Senate filibuster, Korea has clearly defined ending procedures.
  • Speakers must keep standing and cannot talk about unrelated topics.
  • The minimum 24-hour guarantee provides sufficient debate opportunities.
  • However, it has limitations as it must end when the majority party meets ending requirements.

💡 Major Issues with Filibuster

1. Effectiveness Controversy: Limitations of being neutralized when the majority party meets ending requirements
2. Political Tool: Cases where it's used as political performance rather than genuine debate
3. Legislative Delay: Concerns about disrupting state affairs by delaying necessary bills
4. Public Division: Cases where pro and con opinions are divided among citizens
5. Physical Endurance Battle: Issues of physical burden on lawmakers and dignity concerns

3️⃣ Broadcasting Act Filibuster and Political Significance

✅ Key Issues and Background of This Broadcasting Act

• The core content of the Broadcasting Act amendment is at the center of controversy. Main issues include:

  • It includes expanding the KBS board from the current 11 to 15 members.
  • It introduces a special majority system (more than two-thirds approval) for president selection to strengthen checks.
  • It expands the role of viewer committees in the MBC director recommendation process.
  • The goal is to ensure political independence and programming autonomy of public broadcasting.

• There are clear differences in positions between ruling and opposition parties. Main points of conflict include:

  • The Democratic Party argues it's a reform to restore political neutrality of public broadcasting.
  • The People Power Party objects, saying it's an attempt to change governance structure in favor of a specific party.
  • The broadcasting industry and civil society also have divided opinions on the amendment's effectiveness and side effects.
  • Public broadcasting unions also show different positions on the amendment.

✅ Limitations of Filibuster and Future Prospects

• This filibuster has limited practical effects. Main reasons include:

  • The Democratic Party has secured the number of seats needed for ending.
  • After 24 hours, if the motion to end is passed, it immediately moves to voting on the main bill.
  • The People Power Party's intention seems to be highlighting problems rather than blocking the bill.
  • Raising public awareness and delivering political messages appear to be the main purposes.

• Evaluations of the filibuster system itself are also mixed. Main perspectives include:

  • There are positive aspects of protecting minority opinions and providing sufficient debate opportunities.
  • However, if misused as a political tool, it could paralyze legislative functions.
  • Citizens also have coexisting views of seeing it as a necessary check device versus a waste of time.
  • Discussions about system improvement measures are expected to continue.
  • Most importantly, establishing a genuine dialogue and compromise culture between ruling and opposition parties is a more important task.

4️⃣ Related Term Explanations

🔎 National Assembly Act

• The National Assembly Act is the basic law regarding the organization and operation of the National Assembly.
  • The National Assembly Act is legislation that regulates overall National Assembly operations including organization, procedures, and powers. It has the character of procedural law to specifically realize the powers of the National Assembly defined in the Constitution.
  • Main contents of the National Assembly Act include: First, it specifies the rights and duties of National Assembly members. Second, it regulates the composition and operation methods of plenary sessions and committees. Third, it details procedures for reviewing and processing bills. Fourth, it includes the National Assembly's check functions such as state audits and investigations.
  • Filibuster operates based on Article 106-2 of the National Assembly Act. This article states "when there is a request from more than one-third of registered members, unlimited debate can be conducted on that bill" and also specifies ending requirements.

🔎 Point of Order

• Point of order refers to remarks made regarding the progress of National Assembly meetings.
  • Point of order refers to remarks made about meeting progress methods or procedures in National Assembly plenary sessions or committees. These can be made anytime regarding meeting operations even if not directly related to agenda items.
  • Characteristics of point of order include: First, speaking time is limited to 5 minutes. Second, it can be made anytime with the Speaker's permission. Third, content must be about meeting progress or procedures. Fourth, it has the authority to interrupt other members' speeches.
  • Point of order is possible even during filibusters and is often used as a means to object to debate interruption or meeting progress. However, if misused, it can make meeting progress more complex, so appropriate operation is important.

🔎 Registered Members

• Registered members refer to all members belonging to the National Assembly.
  • Registered members refer to the total number of National Assembly members, which is currently 300 in Korea. This includes both members elected through elections and proportional representation members, serving as the basis for calculating various decision quorums in the National Assembly.
  • Major decision requirements based on registered members include: First, constitutional amendments require approval from more than two-thirds of registered members. Second, impeachment motions are initiated with majority approval and decided with more than two-thirds approval of registered members. Third, general bills are processed with majority attendance of registered members and majority approval of attending members.
  • Regarding filibusters, they begin when more than one-third of registered members (100 members) apply and end when more than three-fifths of registered members (180 members) agree. These quorum requirements aim to harmoniously balance minority party protection with majority rule principles.

5️⃣ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can lawmakers really not even go to the bathroom during a filibuster?

A: Members speaking cannot leave their seats in principle, but it's often operated flexibly in practice.

• Under National Assembly Act, speakers during unlimited debate must continue speaking, so leaving seats is restricted. However, allowing bathroom use or urgent physiological needs is customary from a humanitarian perspective. First, temporary suspension is possible with the Speaker's permission. Second, it's sometimes operated by having same-party members take over speaking duties. Third, drinking water or beverages and reading prepared materials is allowed. Fourth, it's operated flexibly within limits that don't impose excessive physical burden. Fifth, if health problems arise, it can be immediately stopped for medical assistance.
• Actually, during the 2016 Anti-Terrorism Act filibuster, members took turns speaking to secure rest time, and temporary suspensions occurred when necessary. Above all, member health and safety are top priority, so it's not operated too rigidly.

Q: Can filibusters permanently block bills?

A: Korea's filibuster cannot permanently block bills as ending procedures are possible after 24 hours.

• Unlike the US Senate filibuster, Korea has clear ending procedures so bills cannot be delayed indefinitely. First, motions to end can be made anytime after 24 hours from debate start. Second, it must end when more than three-fifths of registered members (180 members) agree. Third, since the Democratic Party currently holds 175 seats, ending is possible with cooperation from some other parties. Fourth, once ended, it immediately moves to voting on the main bill, so bill processing cannot be completely blocked. Fifth, the practical effect of filibuster is therefore about 24 hours of additional debate opportunity and raising public awareness.
• This is an institutional balance point that prevents minority parties from indiscriminately blocking legislation while guaranteeing sufficient debate opportunities. Ultimately, it should be understood as a device to secure time for more careful review and public opinion gathering, not as a means to permanently block bills.

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