Jo Jung-hoon, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, is engaging in an unlimited debate (filibuster) regarding a modified proposal of the complete revision of the National Referendum Act at the 8th plenary session of the 432nd National Assembly (extraordinary session) held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 1st. March 1, 2026 ⓒ News1.
On the 1st, a proposal to amend the National Referendum Act, which guarantees the voting rights of overseas citizens, passed the plenary session of the National Assembly driven by the Democratic Party. This allows for both the June 3 local elections and the constitutional amendment referendum to be held simultaneously.
During the plenary session, the National Assembly approved the amendment to the National Referendum Act with all 176 attending lawmakers voting in favor. The People Power Party did not participate in the vote.
The amendment to the National Referendum Act aims to expand the scope of eligible voters in national referendums from those registered domestically or with a domestic residence report to include those listed in the overseas voters’ registry.
The Democratic Party removed a provision just before the plenary session that would have imposed a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for spreading false information related to the voting and counting of national referendums.
Previously, in 2014, the Constitutional Court ruled that the National Referendum Act was unconstitutional for not providing voting rights to overseas citizens.
As a result, in order to conduct a referendum for constitutional amendments, the National Referendum Act needed to be revised, but the lack of consensus in the National Assembly led to a legislative gap lasting 10 years.
Last month on the 5th, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik suggested at a press conference that constitutional amendments including local autonomy enhancements should be pursued in conjunction with the local elections through the amendment of the National Referendum Act.
The voting on this day proceeded swiftly after the People Power Party decided to halt their filibuster (unlimited debate).
The People Power Party is demanding the passage of a special law for the integration of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province as a condition for ending the filibuster.
However, the Democratic Party is setting conditions such as a public apology and clarification on their stance regarding the integration law of South Chungcheong and Daejeon, refusing to convene the Legislation and Judiciary Committee.