South Korea ruling party moves to curb legislative delays

Acting Democratic Party leader and floor leader Han Byung-do said the People Power Party has repeatedly used filibusters to delay legislation involving economic concerns and institutional reforms. "A system established to protect minority opinions is being abused as a means of paralyzing the National Assembly and delaying legislation affecting people's livelihoods," Han said Monday.

Additional revisions would allow lawmakers to replace a standing committee chair who refuses to begin reviewing legislation without a legitimate reason. Another proposal would require a committee meeting to be held within three days of a formal request. The Democratic Party says several committees led by People Power Party lawmakers during the first half of the current Assembly went extended periods without meeting or reviewing pending bills.

The People Power Party accused the ruling party of attempting to eliminate legitimate tools available to the parliamentary minority. Deputy floor leader Kim Seung-su said the Democratic Party is using the goal of creating a more productive legislature to justify the unilateral passage of politically contentious bills.

"Rushing disputed bills onto the agenda, denying lawmakers even the time needed for discussion and forcing a majority vote amounts to a declaration that the majority party intends to revive legislative tyranny," Kim said Tuesday.

The measures are expected to face further opposition as they move toward consideration by the full National Assembly.