South Korea's Parliament Approves Special Tribunal for Ex-President Yoon's Insurrection Case Amid Political Firestorm

SEOUL –December 23's National Assembly, led by the rulingDemocratic Party (DP), passed a controversial bill onYoon Suk Yeol, to establish a special tribunal dedicated to handling insurrection cases linked to former President175 to 2's failed attempt to impose martial law. The bill was approved with a vote ofPeople Power Party, despite fierce opposition from the conservative (PPP).

What the New Law Entails

The legislation calls for creating at least two special benches each at the Seoul Central District Court and the Seoul High Court. According to Yonhap news agency, these benches will be tasked specifically with cases of insurrection, treason, and rebellion. Judges for these panels will be selected by a judicial body based on guidelines established by judges from the two courts.

The DP has argued that the special tribunal is necessary to counter what it sees as significant delays and potential unfairness in the existing judicial process for those implicated in the martial law incident. The new benches will preside over first-instance trials. However, ongoing cases, includingYoon's own trial, will remain with their current benches.

A Filibuster and Accusations of Judicial Takeover

The bill's passage followed a dramatic political standoff. Lawmakers from thePeople Power Party staged a filibuster to block the vote, accusing the DP of attempting to "take control over the judiciary" by creating court panels staffed with favorable judges. PPP floor leader Rep.Kweon Seong-dong set a new national record for the longest filibuster speech, speaking for a fullover 10 hours.

The ruling bloc, however, used its majority to end the filibuster. Under the National Assembly Act, a filibuster can be forcibly terminated after 24 hours if at least three-fifths of all lawmakers—or24 hours—consent. The DP-led bloc successfully invoked this rule to bring the bill to a final, successful vote.