Floor leader vows to tighten filibuster rules, overhaul fast-track system
Han Byung-do, acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said Tuesday that he hopes the People Power Party will cooperate on electing the remaining seven standing committee chairs "if it feels even a shred of responsibility."
Han made the remarks at a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly that morning. He added that if the PPP "kicks even this aside and obstructs the functioning of the Assembly, the Democratic Party will use every means available to complete the normalization of the legislature." He also said the party would tighten the criteria for filing and sustaining filibusters so that livelihood bills are never again held hostage to political disputes.
Han also pledged to overhaul the fast-track system, saying the current maximum review period of 330 days exceeds the average time taken to pass legislation in the 21st National Assembly. "We will reform the system so that bills can truly be reviewed quickly," he said.
On prosecutorial reform, Han said there is broad public consensus on fully separating investigative and indictment powers, and that the floor leadership, policy committee and Legislation and Judiciary Committee members would begin work in earnest on revising the Code of Criminal Procedure. "We will pool our wisdom, produce a unified proposal, and complete the legislation quickly through the vigorous debate and deliberation the Democratic Party is proud of," he said.
Regarding the ballot shortage controversy, Han said the party would swiftly pursue a special prosecutor — adopted as official party policy — to get to the root of the incident and hold those responsible strictly accountable.
sunpine@heraldcorp.com
