Is Jo Su-jin Really Resigning? 'Joseon Dynasty Concubine' Remark Sparks Controversy [Han Seung-gon's Political Notebook]

So Su-jin and Go Min-jung's "Joseon Dynasty Concubine" Remarks Controversy... Ruling Party Demands "Resignation"
"I Do Not Intend to Overlook It" Go Min-jung Files Complaint Against So Su-jin

Rep. So Su-jin of the People Power Party is questioning during the National Assembly inspection of the prosecution offices under the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office and Suwon High Prosecutors' Office held at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee in Yeouido, Seoul, on October 19 last year.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] On the 27th, Rep. Jo Su-jin of the People Power Party criticized Rep. Go Min-jeong of the Democratic Party by calling her a "Joseon Dynasty concubine," prompting the ruling party to strongly condemn the remarks and demand her immediate resignation.

The intense confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties over calls for a lawmaker's resignation due to their words and actions is nothing new. The reasons for lawmakers' resignations vary.

First, there is loss of office due to violation of current laws. Violations of the Political Funds Act or civil/criminal penalties fall under this category. If a lawmaker is sentenced to imprisonment or higher (including suspended sentences), they lose their seat.

Some resign for their own beliefs. There are cases where lawmakers resign to strongly express opposition to national policies or to take responsibility for their words and actions.

More recently, in March 2019, the People Power Party, then known as the Liberty Korea Party, declared it would not hesitate to have all its lawmakers resign in response to the designation of the election system reform bill as a fast-track legislative agenda by the four ruling and opposition parties: the Democratic Party, Bareunmirae Party, Party for Democracy and Peace, and Justice Party. At that time, lawmakers from the second-largest party holding 113 seats took the 'strongest measure' of voluntarily relinquishing their seats.

In this way, 'resignation from office' is sometimes used as a political last stand. However, it is mostly an expression of strong will, and actual resignations are rarely seen.

In 1979, 66 lawmakers from the New Democratic Party submitted resignation letters in protest against the expulsion of then-New Democratic Party Chairman and former President Kim Young-sam, but the resignations were rejected. Also, in 1990, 79 lawmakers from the Peace Democratic Party and Democratic Party submitted resignation letters in opposition to the three-party merger, but the matter was ignored.

If Rep. Jo accepts the ruling party's call for resignation and submits a resignation letter, what procedures would she go through to lose her 'golden badge'?

According to the National Assembly Act, a lawmaker's resignation requires approval by the plenary session or the Speaker of the National Assembly. The resignation process differs depending on whether the Assembly is in session or not. During sessions, the plenary must convene to approve the resignation; during recess, the Speaker's approval is required.

However, for these procedures to begin, the lawmaker must decide to resign. Ultimately, unless Rep. Jo herself decides to resign, it is difficult for the resignation to materialize. Moreover, during sessions, approving a resignation can be a political burden for both ruling and opposition lawmakers.

Considering the situation, it is realistic to say that the possibility of Rep. Jo accepting the ruling party's call and entering the resignation process is virtually nonexistent.

Ko Min-jung, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Democratic Party strongly criticized Rep. Jo's remarks. Rep. Go filed a lawsuit and took legal action. Earlier, on the 22nd, Rep. Go Min-jeong posted on her Facebook criticizing former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, saying, "It is regrettable and even more regrettable to see you still engaging in conditional politics despite not being chosen by the residents of Gwangjin-eul," and asked, "Can't you express a position without any conditions even once?"

In response, Rep. Jo wrote on Facebook, "Rep. Go Min-jeong, whom the Moon Jae-in administration cherishes and loves, mocked former Seoul Mayor Oh, who competed in last April's general election. It is utterly vulgar," and added, "Even concubines in the Joseon Dynasty who bore princes would not have been treated like this."

She continued, "If you were elected riding on the power of 'mountain power,' shouldn't you be even more humble?" and claimed, "You should be humble just for being unscathed despite allegations of false academic credentials on election leaflets and posting endorsements from residents' autonomy committee members who were not qualified as campaign workers."

The Democratic Party immediately launched fierce condemnation of Rep. Jo's remarks. Forty-three Democratic lawmakers held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office titled 'Condemnation of Rep. Jo Su-jin's Abusive Language Politics,' stating, "It is appalling to see a fellow female lawmaker's dignity trampled and clear sexual harassment committed by a member of the National Assembly," and "We seriously question her qualifications as a lawmaker and urge her to resign from her position."

The Democratic Party's National Women's Committee (Chairperson Jung Chun-sook) also issued a statement, defining the issue as "deep-rooted misogyny that sexualizes female politicians solely because they are women and unjustly undermines their abilities."

They further criticized, "The 'concubine' frame mentioned by Rep. Jo implies that women cannot engage in politics by their own abilities, effectively denying the existence of female politicians."

Democratic Party spokesperson Heo Young said in a briefing, "It is once again heartbreaking to hear such insulting and sexually harassing remarks from a fellow woman," and emphasized, "The Democratic Party will not overlook this and will take necessary measures such as filing a complaint with the Ethics Committee."

Rep. Go filed a lawsuit. On the evening of the 27th, she announced on Facebook, "I have filed a complaint against Rep. Jo. I am also suing for the false statement regarding 'false academic credentials on election leaflets.'" She added, "Some may say to just endure it because it is a dispute between lawmakers, but I do not intend to do so," and emphasized, "I am reviewing both civil and criminal actions."

She also demanded an official apology to the residents of Gwangjin-eul, saying, "'Being elected riding on the power of mountain power' is a remark that disregards the judgment of the residents who cast their precious votes."

Meanwhile, on the 28th, Rep. Jo posted on Facebook, "I regret that my criticism has become controversial contrary to its original intent." She added, "It is unfortunate that my metaphorical expression in criticizing candidates running in the upcoming April Seoul mayoral by-election, which is being held due to a 'power-related sexual incident,' has been misunderstood as an insult or misogyny and has become a subject of political controversy."

Rep. Jo said, "As a female lawmaker myself, advocating for the expansion of women's political participation regardless of party affiliation, it pains me that my metaphorical expression has become a political controversy over misogyny," and added, "Once again, I sincerely apologize for the political controversy caused by my metaphorical expression contrary to my original intent."