The main opposition leadership’s decision to suspend the record-breaking filibuster Tuesday sparked intense pushback from the party’s hard-liners, displaying intraparty tensions amid persisting legislative deadlock.

Filibusterers, many of them within the hawkish wing of The Minjoo Party of Korea, urged the party’s whip Rep. Lee Jong-kul to rethink his decision to halt the marathon speech against counterterrorism bills they believe have gained popularity among liberal voters and moderates.

“Though we started the filibuster, it is not up to us (to decide its fate),” Rep. Eun soo-mi said on her Twitter account. The first-term lawmaker had set the record for the longest-ever address in the National Assembly before fellow member Rep. Jung Chung-rae broke it.

Rep. Kim Kwang-jin, who was the first debater for the filibuster that began on Feb. 23, also asked, “What are we supposed to tell the people now, after spending 150 hours describing how the bill poses problems?”

The opposition’s dilemma over the filibuster was expected. While it consolidated its supporters and received praise for offering an encouraging alternative from confrontational policies, it also failed to dramatically spike support ratings, especially with pressure building to pass urgent bills such as for the new electoral map.

Late Monday night, the party’s interim leader Kim Jong-in reportedly tried to persuade Lee Jong-kul for hours that the suspension of the filibuster is the way to go to prevent it from backfiring into an ideological fight, inviting blame for causing further election delays. Lee was the first to propose and push the filibuster as a way to block the majority ruling party from endorsing the controversial bills designed to give stronger surveillance power to the National Intelligence Service and fortify preventive measures against terrorist attacks.

Lee consequently planned a press conference at 9 a.m. on Tuesday to declare the end of the filibuster, though it was delayed at the last minute.

The party planned a general assembly later in the evening to further discuss their options.

“We delayed the (formal announcement of ending the filibuster) in order to hear from the members who oppose the decision ... the decision to suspend it will not be overturned,” said chief deputy floor leader Rep. Lee Choon-suak.

The ruling Saenuri Party, meanwhile, welcomed the decision, perceived as a triumph for the party in the drawn-out tug-of-war over the controversial counterterrorism bills.

“While it is extremely regretful when we think about the hours wasted at the National Assembly through the filibuster, it is a relief that the Minjoo Party came to such decision,” said Saenuri’s chief spokesman Rep. Kim Young-woo.

Saenuri floor leader Rep. Won Yoo-chul reiterated that no changes will be made to the counterterrorism bills that the opposition claims will seriously damage civil rights.

“After the opposition’s filibuster is suspended, we will be voting on the antiterrorism bills tomorrow. ... There will be no further revision to the bills as we have reflected the demands from them over the past three months.” 

By Yeo Jun-suk  
(jasonyeo@heraldcorp.com)