Eleven Non-Contentious Bills to Be Passed Today; No Deal Yet on Unification Church Special Prosecutor

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[Financial News] The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) announced on the 15th that it plans to pass 11 non-contentious bills at a plenary session based on an agreement between the ruling and opposition parties. However, negotiations between the parties over a special prosecutor bill concerning the Unification Church remain stalled.
DPK floor leader Han Byeongdo said at a policy general assembly that "it is truly fortunate that today (the 15th) the ruling and opposition parties have agreed to pass 11 livelihood-related bills (non-contentious bills)," adding, "Although the parties are locked in an extreme standoff, we will uphold the principle that issues directly tied to our people’s livelihoods must be handled first, and we will continue to negotiate with the opposition."
The non-contentious bills to be handled on this day include amendments to the Special Act on the Prevention of Loss Caused by Telecommunications-based Financial Fraud and Refund for Loss, the Child Welfare Act, and the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Act, among others.
After first dealing with the non-contentious bills, the ruling and opposition parties are expected to enter a full-fledged confrontation starting with the second omnibus Special Prosecutor Act, which will be placed on the agenda last.
The People Power Party and the Reform Party plan to form a joint front and launch a filibuster (an unlimited debate under parliamentary rules to obstruct legislative proceedings). Chun Ha-ram, the Reform Party floor leader, is slated to be the first speaker.
Meanwhile, although the ruling and opposition parties have agreed to pass the non-contentious bills, they have still not reached an agreement on the Unification Church special prosecutor bill.
DPK leader Jung Chung-rae said at the party’s general assembly, "Why is the People Power Party insisting that Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji) be excluded from the Unification Church special prosecutor bill?" and asked, "Is there really any need for that?"
He went on to say, "If we bundle together cases that run counter to the constitutional principle of separation of religion and state, we can handle them far more efficiently," adding, "If there have been any irregularities that violate the principle of separation of religion and state, our position is that they should all be investigated and punished."
He continued, "Whether a special prosecutor or the Prosecution–Police Joint Investigation Headquarters is better suited to uncover the truth will be clear once we see the results," and pressed, "The People Power Party must choose one of the two."
On the same day, the floor leaders of the ruling and opposition parties also met in the morning to negotiate over the Unification Church special prosecutor bill, but they failed to produce any meaningful outcome.
gowell@fnnews.com Kim Hyeong-gu Reporter