Han Byung-do Says He Will Revise Filibuster and Fast-Track Rules

[Financial News] Han Byung-do, acting party leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), said on the 1st that he would revise the filibuster system and the fast-track system through amendments to the National Assembly Act.
At a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Han said, "We will strengthen the standards for filing and maintaining filibusters so that even bills affecting people's livelihoods can never again be held hostage to political strife." He added, "We will also overhaul the fast-track system, which exists only in name."
He said, "Under the current fast-track system, it can take up to 330 days. That is longer than the average review period for bills passed by the 21st National Assembly of South Korea." He added, "We will revise the system so that it can truly enable fast legislative review. In the second half of the 22nd National Assembly, we will make sure political strife and sabotage have no place."
Meanwhile, Han commented on the previous day's unilateral election of 11 standing committee chairs, saying, "We met with the People Power Party 11 times to form the Assembly, but they kept repeating only one demand: that we give up the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee." He explained, "After repeated negotiations, one thing became clear. The People Power Party does not care about people's livelihoods. The Democratic Party of Korea, as the responsible ruling party and the largest party in the National Assembly, cannot simply stand by."
He also urged the People Power Party to cooperate with the election of the remaining seven standing committee chairs, saying, "For the past month, we will work diligently and steadfastly to fill the vacuum in the National Assembly and improve people's lives." He added, "If the People Power Party feels even a shred of responsibility, I hope it will cooperate now."
gowell@fnnews.com Kim Hyeong-gu Reporter