Democratic Party Criticizes United Future Party's Absence from Culture Committee Inquiry... Im Oh-kyung Says "TV Chosun Must Apologize"

Ahn Min-seok, Chairman of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, is presiding over the audit of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism at the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee held at the National Assembly on the 2nd. On this day, the audit was disrupted as the Liberty Korea Party demanded Moon Kyung-ran, Chairperson of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's Sports Innovation Committee, as a witness to continue their 'Cho Kuk offensive,' while the Democratic Party rejected the request. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] The Democratic Party of Korea criticized the United Future Party's absence at the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee emergency inquiry regarding the late athlete Choi Sook-hyun. Im Oh-kyung, a Democratic Party lawmaker who spoke with Choi and sparked controversy, requested an apology from TV Chosun for their related coverage, criticizing that "sports circles colluded with conservative media."

Park Jung, the Democratic Party's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee secretary, said at the committee's plenary session held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 6th, "I will make a procedural statement on behalf of the ruling party lawmakers," adding, "There was neither the state nor justice before the late athlete Choi. I consider the silent state and the indifferent society as tacit accomplices."

He continued, "Therefore, we held an emergency standing committee to ensure such incidents never happen again," adding, "However, it is regrettable to see the empty seats of opposition party lawmakers in front of us."

He further said, "I understand that the United Future Party has also formed a related task force to investigate the facts. I do not know why things are proceeding separately," and urged the United Future Party lawmakers, "Please return to the standing committee quickly. Only then can the National Assembly stand proudly before the people and the late athlete."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lawmaker Im requested to make a procedural statement, saying, "First, I express serious concern over TV Chosun's piecemeal reporting yesterday and request an apology." He added, "It appears that the sports circles trying to deflect blame have colluded with conservative media," emphasizing, "What are they afraid of? The Democratic Party's Sports Committee will conduct hearings and even a parliamentary inspection to root out the core issues."

He continued, "At a time when bipartisan fact-finding at the National Assembly should be prioritized, the opposition party is only eager to create issues through the media," criticizing, "It is very regrettable that opposition lawmakers did not attend today’s session. I seriously doubt their willingness to resolve the problem."

The only non-ruling party member attending the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee was independent lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun, who said, "The materials reported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Sports Council to lawmakers omitted the basic fact that the victim filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission on June 25, and the documents prematurely concluded that the Ministry and the Sports Council were not at fault," adding, "It is merely a hastily prepared report to cover up wasted time. Minister Park Yang-woo must explain who was involved in creating it."

Minister Park expressed, "I deeply mourn the death of athlete Choi and feel a heavy sense of responsibility," adding, "I want to use this incident as an opportunity to eradicate bad practices in the sports world." He continued, "The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will conduct a thorough investigation of this incident, strictly punish those involved, and take measures to prevent recurrence."

Meanwhile, related witnesses including Lee Ki-hong, president of the Korea Sports Council; Kim Jin-hwan, head of the Korea Sports Council Clean Sports Center; Nam Gung-sook, investigator at the Clean Sports Center; Kim Ha-young, president of the Gyeongbuk Sports Council; and Yeo Jun-gi, president of the Gyeongju City Sports Council, all attended the plenary session that day.