Assembly passes bill to shorten fast-track review period

The National Assembly passed a bill Thursday to shorten the fast-track review period for legislation from 330 days to 90 days, with the Democratic Party of Korea pushing the measure through over People Power Party objections.

The amendment to the National Assembly Act cleared the plenary session that afternoon, with 153 lawmakers voting in favor and 81 against out of 234 present.

The bill had been placed on the plenary agenda on July 31, but the People Power Party launched a filibuster — an unlimited debate tactic used to legally obstruct proceedings — and the process was halted when the July extraordinary session ended. The bill was automatically placed back on the agenda Thursday, the first plenary session of the August extraordinary session, and put to a vote under the National Assembly Act.

The two parties were sharply divided. The Democratic Party argued that the existing fast-track system impedes the timely passage of legislation, while the PPP pushed back, saying the ruling party had moved unilaterally to amend the law without adequate deliberation.