Special Counsel Bill on Alleged 'Fabricated Indictment' Tabled at Plenary Session, Triggering Filibuster Standoff

[Anchor]

In the National Assembly, a special counsel bill investigating alleged "fabricated indictments" was introduced to the plenary session a short while ago. In protest, the People Power Party has launched an unlimited debate, or filibuster, to delay proceedings. We connect live to the National Assembly.

Reporter Kim Jiuk, please give us the latest update.

[Reporter]

As the special counsel bill on allegations of fabricated indictments was brought to the plenary session of the National Assembly earlier at 4 p.m., the People Power Party began a filibuster, starting with Representative Park Hyung-soo as the first speaker.

Representative Park opposed the passage of the bill, calling it "a law granting special favors to the president."

[Park Hyung-soo / Representative, People Power Party: "No matter what words are used to package it, this bill is about saving President Lee Jae-myung and clearing President Lee Jae-myung of guilt."]

Prior to tabling the special counsel bill, a resolution calling for the expulsion of People Power Party Representative Kim Tae-kyu and a resolution to establish a special committee on so-called "megaregional special zones" were passed in the absence of the People Power Party.

[Anchor]

What specific parts of the special counsel bill does the People Power Party take issue with?

[Reporter]

As seen, the People Power Party maintains that the special counsel bill on alleged fabricated indictments is an act of interference in trials aimed at pressuring the judiciary into acquittals.

Jeong Jeom-sig, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated, "The scope of the investigation includes not only President Lee's cases but also former President Moon Jae-in's cases," adding, "It is a special counsel to manipulate history, born out of an ugly backroom deal between ruling party factions."

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of Korea maintains that it has removed all concerns raised by the People Power Party from the bill.

In the final draft that passed the Legislation and Judiciary Committee yesterday (November 4), provisions that had initially sparked controversy over "dropping indictments"—allowing the special counsel to decide whether to maintain prosecution and to request the transfer of cases currently being prosecuted—were deleted.

Han Byung-do, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, reiterated the necessity of the special counsel, saying, "Detailed circumstances pointing to fabricated investigations by political prosecutors have come to light. If they coerced statements and distorted evidence, they must be held strictly accountable."

With the People Power Party planning an outdoor protest near Gyeongbokgung Station the day after tomorrow (November 7), the Democratic Party plans to forcibly terminate the People Power Party's filibuster after 24 hours, tomorrow afternoon (November 6), and pass the bill.

(Field Production: Seo Jin-ho | Video by Oh Young-choon, Shin Dong-hwan | Video Editing by Jeon Min-gyu)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.