[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Jeong Won-seok, a member of the People Power Party's Emergency Committee who sparked controversy by referring to the late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon’s sexual harassment accusation as a 'sex scandal,' has returned to party duties after two months. He proposed a 'comprehensive fairness investigation,' including the Blue House and politicians' children, saying, "I met many people outside the political circle over the past two months."
On the 21st, at the Emergency Committee meeting held at the National Assembly, Jeong said, "It’s been a while since I greeted you all. Over the past two months, I met many people outside the political circle," expressing his thoughts on his return.
He was disciplined with a warning and a two-month suspension from activities after calling the Park Mayor incident a 'sex scandal' in July. After the two-month disciplinary period ended, he returned to party duties.
Jeong said, "I still deeply feel that our politics fail to offer any hope or vision to the people," adding, "In such a harsh reality where it is very difficult to make a living, the public is fed up with political fights, and as unfair cases continue to emerge one after another, public trust in politics has already hit rock bottom."
He stated, "Above all, the Republic of Korea is an unfair republic. Public self-deprecation and indifference toward irresponsible politics have deeply taken root," and said, "To restore the trust in politics, which has fallen due to fairness insensitivity, and to overcome public indifference, our politics must become more transparent and hold itself to a stricter standard."
As a solution to unfairness, Jeong proposed a comprehensive fairness investigation regardless of party lines. He said, "This would strictly investigate the adherence to fairness and any preferential treatment cases concerning the four major public duties of the people?national defense, education, taxation, and labor?including senior officials of the Blue House such as ministers and vice ministers, politicians in Yeouido, and even their children, objectively evaluating and transparently disclosing the moral standards of Korea’s public leadership."
He pointed out, "President Moon mentioned the word 'fairness' as many as 37 times on the recent Youth Day," and urged, "Please no longer just speak about the value of fairness with words, but fully realize it according to conscience and ability."
Jeong said, "Starting with the People Power Party, unlike Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae’s son, our party members have proudly disclosed their children’s military service. We must continuously show the public a more sincere and responsible attitude ourselves, so that our party can achieve regime judgment and change in the future," adding, "At this new turning point, I will redouble my efforts to contribute to showing a good, developing, and progressive image."
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