The Democratic Party of Korea neutralized the People Power Party's filibuster and passed the "law distortion crime" bill, an amendment to the Criminal Act. The Democratic Party plans to successively introduce and process remaining judicial reform bills, including the Constitutional Court Act amendment (court appeal law) and the Court Organization Act (Supreme Court justice expansion law). As clashes between ruling and opposition parties intensify amid the wave of attacks targeting the judiciary, the plenary session is heading toward "all-out war" after the Democratic Party rejected the ruling party's nominee for the Broadcasting and Communications Commission.
At the National Assembly plenary session held on December 26, the Democratic Party submitted a motion to end the People Power Party's filibuster on the law distortion crime bill and passed it through a vote. With People Power Party lawmakers absent, the motion passed with 163 votes in favor out of 170 members present.
The core of the law distortion crime bill stipulates that judges, prosecutors, and others who distort the law in cases under trial or investigation with the intent to illegally or unjustly benefit others or harm their rights shall be punished with up to 10 years in prison and up to 10 years of suspension of qualifications. After constitutional concerns arose both inside and outside the party, the Democratic Party limited the law's application to criminal cases, excluding civil and administrative cases, and made the provisions defining law distortion more specific to eliminate ambiguity.
The legal community has deep concerns that the passage of the law distortion crime will lead to indiscriminate complaints and accusations against judges, prosecutors, and police. Critics argue this will not only shake judicial independence but also lead to excessive restraint in the performance of duties by judges and prosecutors subject to the law.
There are also concerns that judges could become potential suspects if defendants file complaints when appellate or supreme courts overturn lower court decisions. Observers say this could undermine the effectiveness of the three-tier court system adopted by the judiciary.
There is also potential for political abuse. If an unfavorable verdict is issued against a specific politician, supporters or political parties could file complaints against the court, effectively conducting "trial by public opinion" against the judiciary. Cheon Ha-ram, floor leader of the Reform Party and a former lawyer, pointed out, "Even after court rulings are issued, there is a risk that the political sphere will continue 'infinite extreme confrontation' through law distortion crime complaints."
After the vote on the law distortion crime bill, the Democratic Party brought the Constitutional Court Act amendment to the plenary. The court appeal law allows constitutional appeals to be filed if the Supreme Court's final judgment in a three-tier trial is deemed to infringe on fundamental rights. As the People Power Party's filibuster on the court appeal law continues, the vote is scheduled for December 27.
The plenary session also processed nominations for standing members of the Broadcasting and Communications Commission. The ruling party's nominee, Professor Ko Min-su of Gangneung-Wonju National University, was approved, but Cheon Young-sik, CEO of Pen & Mike nominated by the People Power Party, was rejected due to opposition from the Democratic Party and the Rebuilding Korea Party.
When the voting results were announced, People Power Party lawmakers strongly protested, saying "If there was an agreement, shouldn't you honor it?", "Have some conscience," and "How can you talk about cooperation after this?"
During the process, when Democratic Party lawmaker Park Sun-won shouted "Hey you" toward People Power Party lawmakers, a commotion erupted as they collectively protested.
Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, warned, "We cannot cooperate with future National Assembly operations." Song said, "The Democratic Party stabbed us in the back again. If they make agreements and then reject them behind the scenes, what reason is there to negotiate bills and motions in the National Assembly? It's saying the opposition party is unnecessary." The People Power Party plans to convene an additional general meeting to discuss separate response measures.