(3rd LD) Parliament passes key economic proposals, contentious bills stalled amid opposition protest

(ATTN: UPDATES with more info in paras 1, 3-6, 9-13)

SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Yonhap) -- The National Assembly passed a number of bills, including those related to corporate governance, police overhaul and labor reform on Wednesday, but votes were delayed for highly contentious proposals due to fierce protest from the main opposition party.

Plenary session voting began at 3 p.m., one hour later than scheduled, as discussions between the assembly speaker and floor leaders of the rival parties on the voting procedure were drawn out.

Among the passed bills was a revision to the Commercial Act that would require listed companies to name at least one auditor from outside their board and limit the voting powers of the biggest shareholders and their families to 3 percent in the auditor's appointment.

Two other so-called fair economy bills were also approved -- a revision to the Fair Trade Act and a new law on the supervision of financial groups.

The revised fair trade law subjects an increased number of conglomerates to stricter regulation on inter-affiliate business deals and doubles financial penalties on those that violate it.

But the ruling Democratic Party (DP) dropped its initial proposal to abolish the Fair Trade Commission's exclusive right to open an prosecution investigation on a fair trade violation case, amid protests from business circles.

The other passed bill aims to enhance regulatory requirements on conglomerates operating two or more financial arms. Major business groups, such as Samsung, Hyundai and Hanwha, will be subject to the new law.

Parliament also pushed through a major police law revision that gives police more investigative authority, introduces a local autonomous police system and allows the establishment of a national investigation office.

Lawmakers also approved a revision to the special law on the May 18 Gwangju uprising, a nationwide democracy movement that originated in the namesake southern city in 1980.

Under the legislation, those who release false or distorted information on the historic movement face a maximum of five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won (US$46,500).

A set of major labor-related proposals, including one allowing laid-off or jobless people to join labor unions, also got the nod, paving the way for South Korea to ratify key International Labor Organization conventions.

But the voting for three highly contentious bills was put on hold as the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) requested a filibuster to block their passage. The politically-loaded bills are championed by the ruling DP which holds a majority in the 300-member assembly.

Among the pending bills is a proposal designed to facilitate the launch of a new investigative body tasked with handling high-profile corruption cases.

The installation of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) is a key component of President Moon Jae-in's pledge to reform powerful institutions, such as the state prosecution service.

PPP lawmakers have objected to the creation of the new agency over concerns its powers would be unconstitutional.

Ahead of the session, PPP lawmakers staged a protest in front of parliament's plenary chamber, chanting slogans and holding up placards and sign cards demanding the abolishment of the proposed CIO bill.

Two other major bills set to be challenged through filibuster are a law that would deprive the National Intelligence Service of its authority to conduct anti-communist investigations and an act that would prohibit the launching of anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the inter-Korean border.

Filibusters can only last until midnight, when the regular session of National Assembly officially ends.

In case of a failure to pass those bill within the regular session, the DP has indicated it will use an extraordinary session starting Thursday to complete their passage.

hague@yna.co.kr
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