Filibuster stalls reform bills on broadcasting, commercial and labor union laws

Tensions are running high at South Korea's National Assembly, where rival parties have entered a legislative standoff as the opposition launches a filibuster to block a series of reform bills.

Our Moon Hye-ryeon has the details.

A filibuster is underway at South Korea's National Assembly, as the opposition People Power Party attempts to stall the ruling Democratic Party's legislative push to pass a series of contentious reform bills.

The plenary session convened at 2 PM this afternoon after the PPP vowed to filibuster five high-profile bills tabled by the DP — marking the first time in a year that the legislature has entered a formal filibuster standoff.

Under parliamentary rules, each filibuster can run for up to 24 hours, meaning that only one bill is likely to be voted on before the July extraordinary session closes on Tuesday, despite the fact that the DP-led ruling coalition bloc holds the 180-seat supermajority required to unilaterally end a filibuster.

Given these time constraints, the DP decided to prioritize passing a contentious set of media reform bills that amend laws governing the country's major public broadcasters, placing them at the top of the agenda.

The DP's legislative package also includes amendments to the Commercial Act, as well as the so-called "Yellow Envelope Bill," which seeks to limit the ability of employers to claim damages against striking union members.

The ruling party has branded the bill as essential for restoring fairness in labor relations and promoting "industrial peace."

"By adjusting the balance in labor-management relations, this will be the first step toward enabling dialogue at sites where subcontractors couldn't even speak to their main contractors — paving the way for voluntary, horizontal cooperation."

The PPP, however, is framing the bill as a major threat to the business environment.

"The Yellow Envelope Bill could encourage unlimited illegal strikes and has high potential to devastate industrial sites."

Before the filibuster began, lawmakers passed a set of non-contentious bills, including revisions to the Grain Management Act, which had been vetoed under the previous administration.

Other bills included extending the central government's support for free high school education, redefining AI-based digital textbooks as educational material, and formalizing state support for local gift certificate programs.

Any bills not voted on during the current extraordinary session will carry over into the August session, with a plenary session likely to be scheduled towards the end of the month.

Moon Hye-ryeon, Arirang News.