A man in his 50s threw a shoe at President Moon at the National Assembly, causing a disturbance... "I waited since 2 PM"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] After delivering the opening speech of the 21st National Assembly, a man threw a shoe at President Moon Jae-in as he was leaving the main building, causing a disturbance and was immediately arrested by the police. It is highly unusual for a civilian to approach the head of state within the National Assembly grounds and pose a physical threat.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At around 3:19 PM on the 16th, a man in his 50s who identified himself as Jeong Chang-ok waited on the steps in front of the main building of the National Assembly and threw his black shoe at President Moon. The president was leaving the assembly hall after delivering the opening speech and attending a reception. The shoe did not hit President Moon.

Jeong shouted, "Do you know how this country is being run right now?" and called President Moon a "fake pacifist, fake human rights activist." Although security guards intervened, the disturbance did not stop.

When security guards asked, "Where are you from?" he replied, "Republic of Korea," and continued shouting, "We must immediately remove the communist Moon Jae-in from free Korea. Remove the communist immediately."

Jeong said, "I came to the National Assembly at around 1:30 PM and tried to throw a shoe during the speech from the gallery, but I was denied entry due to COVID-19 restrictions. So I waited from 2 PM for President Moon to come out."

At around 3:42 PM, the police arrested Jeong on the spot and took him to a nearby police station for investigation.