Rival parties clash over gov't reorganization bill

Lawmakers of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea walk out in as Rep. Park Soo-min of the main opposition People Power Party begins a filibuster on the revision to the Government Organization Act at the National Assembly in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) on Thursday unilaterally introduced a bill to dismantle the prosecution service and strip the finance ministry of its budget planning authority, triggering a filibuster by the main opposition People Power Party (PPP).

The revision to the Government Organization Act, along with three other bills, was submitted during a plenary session of the National Assembly despite strong objections from the PPP.

The PPP immediately launched a filibuster to block the legislation.

A filibuster can be ended after 24 hours if at least three-fifths of lawmakers consent. But the bill is expected to be put to a parliamentary vote Friday afternoon and is likely to pass.

The two parties failed to reach a compromise despite last-minute negotiations, even after the DPK pledged to drop its plan to overhaul the top financial regulator.

The government reorganization bill calls for scrapping the prosecution's headquarters and creating two new agencies to separately take on its indictment and investigative powers.

The move comes after longstanding criticism that the prosecution has abused its powers by carrying out politically motivated investigations.

The revised act also mandates other changes, such as stripping the Ministry of Economy and Finance's budget planning role. A new office on budget management would be installed under the prime minister's office.

It also seeks to transfer the industry ministry's oversight of energy policy to the environment ministry, which would be renamed the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment.