Seoul: The leader of South Korea's main opposition People Power Party (PPP), Jang Dong-hyuk, has set a new record for the longest filibuster speech, as he delivered a marathon address to protest a ruling party-backed bill aimed at establishing a special tribunal. Jang's speech, which began at 11:40 a.m. on Monday, had surpassed 21 hours by 9 a.m. Tuesday, marking the first time a main opposition party leader has personally initiated a filibuster in the country.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Jang's filibuster was in opposition to a Democratic Party (DP) bill that proposes the creation of a special tribunal to handle insurrection cases related to former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law attempt in December 2024. The previous record for the longest filibuster was held by PPP lawmaker Park Soo-min, who spoke for 17 hours and 12 minutes on September 26.

Throughout his address, Jang accused the ruling party of attempting to establish a judiciary composed of judges favorable to its interests and labeled the bill as unconstitutional. He further urged President Lee Jae Myung to veto the bill should it pass the Assembly.

The Democratic Party has advocated for the tribunal as part of its judicial reform efforts, citing delays and perceived unfairness in the trials of those involved in the martial law case. Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho, a member of the DP, was present throughout the night to listen to Jang's address, later posting on Facebook that the filibuster "reflects our political reality, where dialogue and compromise have disappeared."

Jung expressed hope for reflection within the political realm, stating, "Before blaming anyone else, I harbor a faint hope that we can look back on ourselves and reflect on what kind of politics truly serves the people, and what parliamentary democracy really means."

With a parliamentary majority, the DP plans to move the bill to a vote following the conclusion of the filibuster. Under the National Assembly Act, a filibuster can be halted after 24 hours if at least three-fifths of all parliamentary members, equivalent to 180 lawmakers, agree to end it.