Government Organization Act, Korea Communications Commission Act... Ruling and opposition parties set to clash for '3rd filibuster' on the 25th

Democratic Party plans 'piecemeal' legislation of prosecutor's office dismantling and KCC reform amid PPP opposition

Fast-track designation for bills like the Financial Supervisory Commission Establishment Act... PPP considering full filibuster, heading to external protests

Democratic Party Leader Jeong Cheong-rae (left) and People Power Party Leader Jang Dong-hyuk [Photo by Kim Joo-seong] 2025.9.3 [Photo by Choi Jae-gu] 2025.9.2

(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Young-shin, Choi Pyeong-cheon, Jo Da-un = The ruling and opposition parties are expected to engage in another filibuster (legal obstruction of proceedings through unlimited debate) confrontation on the 25th over the passage of the Government Organization Act amendment.

The Democratic Party has announced its intention to pass the Government Organization Act amendment to complete the so-called "complete stripping of prosecutorial investigative powers" and to reform the current Korea Communications Commission (KCC) system by passing the Korea Communications Commission Act. In response, the People Power Party has declared a "resolute obstruction" stance.

The Democratic Party, with its overwhelming majority, is expected to pass legislation piece by piece using its numerical advantage with a "salami tactic" once again. In response, the People Power Party is reviewing the use of the filibuster and is escalating its struggle, with war drums beating louder.

Floor Leader Kim Byung-ki speaking at a supreme council meeting (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Hwang Kwang-mo = Democratic Party Floor Leader Kim Byung-ki speaks at a supreme council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 19th. 2025.9.19 hkmpooh@yna.co.kr

◇ Ruling party to pass bills including Government Organization Act... Financial Supervisory Commission Establishment Act to be fast-tracked

The Democratic Party has declared that it will pass the Government Organization Act at the plenary session on the 25th to normalize the state administration of the Lee Jae-myung administration, which has been in office for over 100 days.

Accordingly, the Democratic Party has proactively passed the Government Organization Act amendment in the Subcommittee of the Ministry of Interior and Safety on the 18th. The bill includes the contents announced by the party and the government: ▲ Abolition of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and establishment of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (investigation) and Prosecution Agency (prosecution) ▲ Separation of the Ministry of Economy and Finance into the Ministry of Planning and Budget and the Ministry of Finance and Economy ▲ Establishment of the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment.

Separately, the Democratic Party plans to complete legislation for the Korea Communications Commission Act on the 25th, which abolishes the KCC and establishes a Korea Communications Commission to normalize the KCC's functions in line with the changed media environment.

The Democratic Party proactively passed the bill in the Science, ICT, Future Planning, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee amidst the People Power Party's protest and withdrawal.

The Democratic Party intends to activate the process of 'bill submission → filibuster → ruling party's forced termination of filibuster after 24 hours → ruling party-led bill passage' if the People Power Party filibusters this bill.

However, bills linked to the Government Organization Act, such as the Financial Supervisory Commission Establishment Act, cannot be submitted to the plenary session at this time because the People Power Party holds the chairmanship of the relevant standing committee.

The Democratic Party therefore plans to designate 11 bills under the jurisdiction of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the Strategy and Finance Committee, where the People Power Party holds the chairmanship, as fast-track agenda items.

Fast-track designation requires the consent of three-fifths of the total number of members (180 people) in the plenary session.

This strategy aims to bypass the opposition party's non-cooperation in government organizational restructuring, as fast-tracking guarantees eventual passage, although it takes time.

A Democratic Party official told Yonhap News on the 21st, "The opposition party should broadly cooperate with government organizational reform to allow the government to function, but if they continue to obstruct, fast-tracking is unavoidable," and added, "We will proceed with the passage without disruption, even if there is a filibuster."

Song Eon-seok speaking at a general assembly of lawmakers (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Hwang Kwang-mo = People Power Party Floor Leader Song Eon-seok speaks at a general assembly of lawmakers held at the National Assembly on the 19th. 2025.9.19 hkmpooh@yna.co.kr

◇ PPP with no means of obstruction... Considering full filibuster on all bills

The leadership of the People Power Party has decided to filibuster the Government Organization Act amendment and the KCC reform bill.

The People Power Party opposes the abolition of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, arguing that it is retaliation against the prosecution that investigated President Lee Jae-myung for alleged violations of the Public Official Election Act and that it could lead to chaos in the criminal justice system.

The People Power Party's logic is that they are not against prosecutorial reform itself, but that the ruling and opposition parties should discuss and derive a reform plan that does not harm the public.

The People Power Party opposes the Korea Communications Commission Act, calling it a "law to force the departure of a specific person," referring to the current KCC Chairperson Lee Jin-sook, who was appointed by the Yoon Suk-yeol administration.

The People Power Party's strategy is to inform the public of these issues through filibusters and simultaneously strengthen the narrative of the ruling party's "legislative rampage."

Furthermore, they are considering filibustering not only the contentious bills but all bills. It is reported that they are gathering opinions within the party to determine whether to filibuster all bills unilaterally passed by the Democratic Party in the standing committees.

A People Power Party official said in a phone call, "We cannot tolerate the establishment of a one-party dictatorship under the guise of prosecutorial and media reform," and added, "The leadership is determined to continue the filibuster even during the Chuseok holiday."

Rep. Ju Jin-woo conducting an unlimited debate on the Commercial Act amendment (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Hwang Kwang-mo = People Power Party Rep. Ju Jin-woo is conducting an unlimited debate (filibuster) on the passage of the Commercial Act amendment at the National Assembly on the 25th. 2025.8.25 hkmpooh@yna.co.kr

◇ Expected clashes over Supreme Court Justice increase and domestic terrorism tribunal

If the ruling and opposition parties engage in a filibuster battle, it will be the third such confrontation since the launch of the Lee Jae-myung administration, following the passage of the Broadcasting 3 Acts, the Yellow Envelope Act (amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act), and the Stronger Commercial Act (2nd Commercial Act amendment).

In addition, the Democratic Party plans to soon unveil judicial reform bills, including the increase of Supreme Court justices, and begin discussions on the bill to establish a domestic terrorism tribunal proposed by the Special Committee for Comprehensive Response to 3 Special Prosecutors' Investigations.

In response, the People Power Party argues that establishing a tribunal to handle cases of special prosecutors is unconstitutional and opposes the increase of Supreme Court justices, calling it an attempt by the ruling party to "seize control of the judiciary."

The People Power Party defines the Democratic Party's legislative drive as "legislative dictatorship" and plans to intensify its public criticism campaign against the ruling party through external rallies and public messages.

Consequently, the ripple effects of the ruling and opposition parties' legislative conflicts are expected to extend beyond the National Assembly. Yonhap News