The National Assembly introduced a bill to the plenary on Monday to establish a special tribunal to handle criminal cases linked to last year’s December 3 martial law incident.

The contested bill, tabled by the ruling Democratic Party, contains provisions to set up a dedicated tribunal to try former President Yoon Suk Yeol and any alleged accomplices on insurrection charges.

At a meeting of ruling party lawmakers prior to the bill’s introduction, the party endorsed a revised version that would give a judges' council and task allocation panel the right to determine the composition of the tribunal.

The main opposition People Power Party immediately began a filibuster in protest, with party leader Jang Dong-hyeok taking the podium first.

A motion to end a filibuster can be put to a plenary vote 24 hours after it begins, and the motion requires support from at least three-fifths of sitting lawmakers to pass.