Jung Cheong Rae was talking for more than nine hours as of this afternoon as the 17th lawmaker to take the podium since opposition lawmakers decided on Tuesday to resort to a filibuster, the country's first since 1969.
With the filibuster exceeding 90 hours, it is one of the longest in history. In 2011, Canada's New Democratic Party orchestrated a session that lasted for 58 hours.
President Park Geun-hye and her ruling Saenuri Party have endorsed the bill granting greater power to Seoul's main spy agency to investigate individuals and groups, pointing to threats posed by North Korea and activities by militant organizations such as the Islamic State group.
Opposition lawmakers say the bill doesn't have sufficient measures to prevent the agency from abusing its powers for civilian surveillance.
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The NIS has a history of meddling in politics and spying on civilians and journalists.
Another former NIS chief was sentenced to three years in prison last year after being found guilty of ordering an illicit online campaign to support then-ruling party candidate and current President Park Geun-hye ahead of the 2012 presidential election and smear her main liberal rival, Moon Jae-in.
The Supreme Court later ordered a new trial for Won Sei-hoon after rejecting some of the evidence that was used to convict him at the lower court. It's unclear if or how much the online campaigning helped Park win the 2012 election.