Nat'l Assembly passes contentious broadcasting bill

A filibuster to block a contentious broadcasting bill is ongoing during a plenary session at the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

The National Assembly on Tuesday passed a controversial broadcasting bill that would revamp governance of public broadcasters, with the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) leading the passage of the bill despite fierce opposition by the main opposition People Power Party (PPP).

The amendment to the Broadcasting Act passed with 178 lawmakers in favor and two against, out of 180 lawmakers at the plenary session. PPP lawmakers walked out of the parliamentary chamber in protest.

Since the DPK tabled the bill Monday, the PPP had launched a filibuster to block the bill.

The DPK, which holds a majority in the National Assembly, swiftly put the bill up for a vote after the PPP's 24-hour filibuster ended

The bill was part of three contentious broadcasting bills aimed at reforming the governance structure of the nation's public broadcast media by weakening the government and the National Assembly's power to name board directors.

Under the revised Broadcasting Act, the board of directors at KBS will be expanded from 11 to 15 members.

The rival parties had clashed over the legislation, with the PPP arguing that the bills will only increase the presence of progressive figures on the boards of public broadcasters.

The two remaining broadcasting bills, along with the so-called yellow envelope bill aimed at broadening labor protections and a revision to the Commercial Act, are expected to be handled in the August session.