Moon Jung-bok, Ryu Ho-jeong "How Dare You"... Justice Party "Must Apologize"
On the 13th, ahead of the vote on the nomination of Prime Minister candidate Kim Boo-kyum at the National Assembly plenary session, Moon Jung-bok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (center left), protested against Bae Jin-gyo, the floor leader of the Justice Party, regarding his parliamentary procedure remarks, while Ryu Ho-jeong, a member of the Justice Party (right), countered Moon. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Moon Jung-bok (54), a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Ryu Ho-jeong (29), a member of the Justice Party, have been embroiled in controversy over an argument during a plenary session of the National Assembly. On the 14th, Moon claimed, "Ryu shouted and pointed fingers without any context," while Ryu raised her voice, saying, "Please explain your condescending attitude."
Earlier, on the 13th, at the National Assembly plenary session, Bae Jin-gyo, floor leader of the Justice Party, mentioned the disqualification of former Minister of Oceans and Fisheries nominee Park Jun-young, stating, "The smuggling by his wife using a diplomatic pouch is a clear crime." In response, Moon and other Democratic Party members went to Bae's seat to protest.
During this process, when Moon said, "No, that's you...," Ryu retorted, "You?" Moon then shouted, "Hey!" and Ryu replied, "Hey?"
Moon then questioned, "How dare you raise your voice now?" to which Ryu responded, "Do you think our party is easy to deal with? You can't say a word to the People Power Party over there, but what are you doing here?"
Regarding this, Moon expressed deep regret on his Facebook, saying, "I deeply regret the partial editing of the entire context of the conversation and turning it into a political dispute."
He pointed out that Bae's remarks involved "completely different contexts between diplomatic pouches and moving luggage," adding, "If it was smuggling through a diplomatic pouch rather than moving luggage, it could be seen as a diplomatic issue as well as a criminal act."
He continued, "Democratic Party member Hong Ki-won and I were having a conversation with Floor Leader Bae to correct misunderstandings and explain this matter," explaining, "Bae asked, 'Then why did nominee Park voluntarily resign?' and during the response, I said something to the effect of '(Nominee Park) did not want to be a burden to state affairs.'"
Moon criticized, "During this, Ryu suddenly interrupted my words with a loud 'You?' and finger-pointing without any context," calling it "an incomprehensible act on my part, as it was a situation where the conversation could have continued verbally."
He also said, "I met with the former highest-ranking Justice Party member and committee chair to receive an apology on behalf of Ryu," but added, "I think receiving an apology from a member who suddenly acted out is meaningless."
On the 13th, ahead of the vote on the nomination of Prime Minister candidate Kim Boo-kyum at the National Assembly plenary session, Moon Jung-bok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (left), protested against Bae Jin-gyo, the floor leader of the Justice Party, for his parliamentary procedure remarks, and Ryu Ho-jeong, a Justice Party member (right), responded to Moon. [Image source=Yonhap News]
In response, about three hours after Moon posted his statement, Ryu posted a rebuttal. She raised her voice on Facebook, saying, "I don't know if the Justice Party was considered easy to deal with or if I was underestimated because of my young age."
Ryu pointed out, "I heard that Moon's explanation was distributed as an 'official statement' and even as a 'press release.' Bae's remarks were made amid the intense jeering of Democratic Party members. After finishing all the remarks and moving to the vote, Democratic Party members, including Moon, surrounded Floor Leader Bae. That scene, which I had never seen before, was clearly 'bullying.'"
She explained the situation, saying, "Moon should explain the condescending attitude he showed after getting angry, not just why he got angry. I have no idea who Moon meant by 'you.' The problem is what happened next. Moon shouted at me. 'Hey!' came first, and 'How dare you!' came later."
Ryu also urged Moon to apologize, saying, "There was no apology from the 'highest-ranking Justice Party member' who was cowardly dragged into this. It seems the recommendations from the party spokesperson and the Youth Justice Party leader were taken lightly."
Meanwhile, Oh Hyun-joo, spokesperson for the Justice Party, also called for an official apology from Moon and the Democratic Party during a briefing that day, stating, "It was highly inappropriate to personally protest by approaching the seat immediately after Floor Leader Bae's procedural remarks in the plenary session. We express regret."
She emphasized, "Regardless of age or status, as a member representing the people's will, a separate apology is necessary for the attitude that does not respect our party member Ryu."
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