Disruptions During the Inquiry on the Martial Law Crisis on the 17th
Kim Yong-min: “How dare conspiracy accomplices act so recklessly”
Yoo Sang-beom: “Jeong Cheong-rae defends nonsensical remarks beyond rudeness”, Jeong Cheong-rae, chairman of the National Assembly’s Legislative and Judiciary Committee, is discussing with Yoo Sang-beom, a secretary of the People Power Party (pictured left), and Kim Seung-won, a secretary of the Democratic Party of Korea, at the committee’s plenary session in the National Assembly on the 17th. ⓒNewsis, ‘[Dailyan = Reporter Nam Ga-hee] During a National Assembly meeting, Kim Yong-min, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, suddenly claimed that some ruling party lawmakers also conspired to commit rebellion. Members of the People Power Party within the legislative committee strongly objected, calling it “offensive language.”‘,
During the plenary session of the legislative committee on the 17th, Kim Yong-min stated, “I can’t specifically name who among the ruling members, but many, along with former floor leader Choo Kyung-ho, conspired to commit rebellion.” When ruling party members reacted, Kim replied, “Where do these accomplices dare…?”
The ruling party committee members held a press conference at the National Assembly, criticizing Kim for his remarks, saying, “Kim Yong-min made offensive statements that are unacceptable towards People Power Party lawmakers” and expressed their strong protest, adding that Jeong Cheong-rae, the committee chairman, seemed to defend the offensive remarks.
Yoo Sang-beom, a secretary for the ruling party on the legislative committee, stated, “I never prevented the passing of a resolution demanding the lifting of martial law, nor delayed any plenary session,” expressing his anger over Kim’s remarks despite clear facts.
Yoo also said, “Kim claimed ‘ruling members tried to arrest a judge.’ It’s not just offensive, but absurd,” and demanded both an apology from Kim and the deletion of the session’s minutes, criticizing Chairman Jeong for consistently defending Kim’s remarks.
Song Seok-joon commented, “Chairman Jeong used the term ‘Yoon Seok-yeol, the mutiny ringleader’ to refer to President Yoon Seok-yeol,” and called it “the worst of the offensive remarks.” Assembly member Cho Bae-sook added, “In a democratic society governed by the rule of law, we adhere to the principle of legalism, and according to the presumption of innocence, caution is required, yet fellow lawmakers were labeled as accomplices in a rebellion.”
Meanwhile, on that day, Yoo explained the absence of ruling party members in the impeachment committee, stating, “Legally, the impeachment committee requires just one chairperson from the legislative committee,” and noted that the committee has no legal role to play.