Korean National Assembly ‘adoption’ ‘tear gas’ revisited
On the 17th, female lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties are engaged in a fierce physical altercation in the Taiwan Taipei Legislative Yuan (National Assembly) as they prepare for a vote on legislative reform bills. Reuters, Yonhap News
On the 17th, female lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties in the Taiwan Taipei Legislative Yuan (National Assembly) are engaged in a fierce physical altercation as they compete over the passage of a reform bill that gives more power to lawmakers in the Legislative Yuan. Reuters, Yonhap News
“Lawmakers in Taiwan from both ruling and opposition parties engaged in a ‘mass melee’ in the assembly over a controversial bill.”
“On the 18th, the main opposition Kuomintang, along with the second opposition Democratic Progressive Party, continued parliamentary procedures such as ‘bill reading’ in an attempt to pass the so-called ‘5 Major Legislative Reforms’ bill that aims to expand the powers of the Legislative Yuan and enhance oversight of the government.”
“However, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party opposed this bill, arguing that it could lead to the abuse of power under the guise of parliamentary reform.”
“In particular, Democratic Progressive Party lawmakers climbed onto the rostrum to block the bill’s forced passage, leading to physical confrontations with Kuomintang lawmakers.”
“During the process, some lawmakers resorted to punches and kicks, while others fell or were injured.”
“Subsequently, the Legislative Yuan speaker, a Kuomintang member, declared an adjournment and announced that a re-vote on the bill would take place on the 21st of this month.”
Former Democratic Labor Party lawmaker Kang Ki-gab performing an ‘adoption’ in the National Assembly. Yonhap News
“As tensions escalate in the parliament controlled by the opposition, the incoming government of the Democratic Progressive Party faces challenges even before its inauguration on the 20th.”
“In response, the president-elect of the Democratic Progressive Party expressed condolences and support to the injured lawmakers and party members, calling for a return to rational discussions in compliance with the constitution.”
“The violent events in the Taiwan parliament have drawn significant attention from international media.”
“Reuters analyzed that the situation could worsen with anxiety and parliamentary conflicts after the assumption of power by the Democratic Progressive Party government.”
“The UK Telegraph reported, ‘As Taiwanese lawmakers engage in heated debates over legislative reform, they also exchanged blows, kicks, and shoves.'”
“Meanwhile, amid the turmoil of the parliamentary brawl in Taiwan, former Democratic Labor Party lawmaker Kang Ki-gab, known for the past ‘parliamentary adoption’ incident, is being brought back into the spotlight.”
“In January 2009, Democratic Labor Party officials opposed to the ratification of the South Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) were forcibly disbanded by the parliamentary office.”
“In protest, Kang, the former lawmaker, smashed furniture in the office and leaped onto the table of the office director, in an incident known as the ‘adoption.'”
“Kang was subsequently indicted on charges of obstructing official duties, but in the first trial, the court ruled him not guilty, stating that the act could not be considered official business. However, in the second trial, a fine of 3 million won was imposed, and this decision was upheld by the Supreme Court.”
“In addition, former Democratic Labor Party lawmaker Kim Sun-dong threw a tear gas canister, also known as a ‘tear gas bomb,’ in the main conference hall of the parliament in November 2011.”