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Park Soo-hyun, senior spokesperson of the Democratic Party, delivers a briefing at the National Assembly in Seoul on August 25 after the passage of the five reform bills. / Source: Kim Dong-wook

South Korea’s Democratic Party (DPK) on August 25 celebrated the passage of the so-called “five reform bills” — the Broadcasting Act, the Foundation for Broadcast Culture Act, the EBS Act, the amended Trade Union Act (known as the “Yellow Envelope Bill”), and revisions to the Commercial Act — calling it the fulfillment of a national mandate for democracy and people’s livelihood.

At a briefing at the National Assembly, DPK senior spokesperson Park Soo-hyun said, “From August 22 until today, the final pieces — the EBS Act, the Yellow Envelope Bill, and the second amendment to the Commercial Act — were passed, completing the five reform bills.”

He stressed, “This is a historic achievement that institutionalizes the reforms and livelihood demands of the people.”

Park criticized the People Power Party (PPP) for staging a filibuster in an attempt to block the bills. “They tried to obstruct with the shell of unlimited debate, but without substance, sincerity, or urgency. It was a failed performance that only fueled public anger,” he said. “By blocking reform legislation until the end, the PPP proved itself to be an anti-reform, anti-livelihood force that abandoned the people.”

“The passage of the five reform bills marks a new starting point for restoring democracy and protecting livelihoods,” Park added. “We will not rest on today’s success but will continue walking the path of greater reform and deeper concern for the people, together with the nation.”