PPP Suffers Complete Defeat on Judicial Reform Bills, Regional Integration

The Democratic Party of Korea is set to complete passage of its "three judicial reform bills" on Saturday, overcoming People Power Party's filibuster resistance in the National Assembly.

The Court Organization Act revision, which increases Supreme Court justices from 14 to 26, was introduced to the plenary session Friday afternoon. Following 24 hours of debate, the Democratic Party plans to force an end to discussion Saturday afternoon and proceed with the vote. Once enacted, four additional justices will be appointed annually starting in two years, adding 12 justices in total.

The Judicial Distortion Crime Act passed Thursday, and the Constitutional Court Appeal Act passed Friday. The former imposes up to 10 years imprisonment on judges or prosecutors who intentionally misapply laws in criminal cases. The latter allows constitutional appeals against finalized court rulings.

PPP has maintained its filibuster since Monday, arguing all three bills are unconstitutional. The party vowed to extend filibuster tactics to non-controversial bills and refuse cooperation in standing committee operations.

Democratic Party leader Chung Chung-rae pressured Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae to resign voluntarily after Court Administration Director Park Young-jae offered to step down. "It would be better to resign voluntarily than be forced out," Chung wrote on social media, suggesting possible impeachment.

Regional Integration Stalled

Administrative integration of Daegu-North Gyeongsang Province faces uncertainty after the Legislation and Judiciary Committee declined to vote on the special merger bill, citing opposition from PPP and Daegu City Council.

PPP lawmaker Joo Ho-young, who declared candidacy for Daegu mayor, reportedly demanded party leadership clarify its position on the merger at a closed-door meeting Monday, threatening accountability. Floor Leader Song Eon-seok responded with apparent frustration and expressed intention to resign.

PPP subsequently requested the Democratic Party convene a Judiciary Committee session to process the bill before the February extraordinary session ends March 3.

Judiciary Committee Chair Choo Mi-ae countered on Facebook: "Floor Leader Song should cancel the filibuster first."

Housing Controversy Intensifies

President Lee Jae-myung's decision to sell his Bundang apartment reignited the multiple-homeowner debate. Democrats targeted PPP leader Chang Dong-hyuk, who owns six properties.

Chang had stated on February 6 in Jeju: "If President Lee sells, I will sell too." He had previously criticized Lee for holding a non-residence apartment for over four years while pressuring citizens to sell.

Chang's holdings include a Seoul Guro-gu apartment co-owned with his spouse, properties in Boryeong, a Yeouido officetel, and partial stakes in apartments in Jinju and Anyang. Chang maintains the combined value is only 850 million won and that his elderly mother resides in the Boryeong home.

Chang has not commented since Lee's sale announcement.