Daejinyeon: "Refusal of Breath Test and Assault, Shameless Behavior... Arrest Is Appropriate"
Petition Demanding Revocation of Congressman Jang Je-won's Qualification
Jang Je-won: "I Will Not Exercise Any Influence as a Member of the National Assembly"
Rapper Jang Yong-jun, who has been indicted on charges of 'drunk driving and driver substitution,' is responding to questions from the press at the Western District Court. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] Jang Yongjun (21, stage name Noel), the son of People Power Party lawmaker Jang Je-won, has sparked public outrage over "political offspring privilege" after being arrested on the spot for unlicensed driving and assaulting a police officer but receiving a non-custodial investigation.
The Korea University Students Progressive Union (Daejinyeon), a progressive-leaning student organization, held a one-person relay protest in front of the Seocho Police Station in Seoul on the 25th, urging for Jang's detention and the resignation of lawmaker Jang.
Daejinyeon stated, "(Jang) refused a breathalyzer test and assaulted a police officer by headbutting him," adding, "His actions are so shameless that he deserves to be detained immediately."
They further criticized, "Driver substitution, assault on civilians, now unlicensed drunk driving and assault on police officers! Still no detention? Is Noel the son of God?"
A university student who participated in the rally said, "Lawmaker Jang once said that those involved in scandals related to their children are not qualified to hold public office," and added, "It is lawmaker Jang himself who should take responsibility for his son's issues and resign."
On the 23rd, a petition demanding the revocation of lawmaker Jang's parliamentary seat was posted on the Blue House's public petition board. The petitioner emphasized, "The confidence that Yongjun had to commit such acts comes from the existence of his father, a member of the National Assembly."
They continued, "In a social atmosphere where one wrong word can ruin you, the behavior of lawmaker Jang and his son reminds me of the vulgar kings and irresponsible royalty of the imperial era, which makes me angry," they pointed out.
On the evening of the 18th, around 10:30 PM, Jang was driving a Mercedes-Benz in Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, when he caused a collision with another vehicle. It was confirmed that he was driving without a license during his probation period when the accident occurred.
A police officer who witnessed the incident requested a breathalyzer test and identification, but Jang refused for over 30 minutes, pushed the officer, and during the arrest process, headbutted the police officer. The police arrested Jang on the spot, completed the investigation, and then released him to go home.
In 2019, Jang was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 2-year probation for causing an accident while drunk driving and substituting the driver. In February this year, he was also sent to the prosecution for verbally abusing and assaulting a pedestrian in Busan but was dismissed in April due to lack of prosecution rights.
In response, lawmaker Jang said in a phone interview with Yonhap News on the 26th, "My son is an adult and must accept any punishment for his wrongdoing," emphasizing, "I clearly state that I will never use any influence as a lawmaker regarding this matter."
He added, "I once again ask the judicial authorities to handle my son's wrongdoing swiftly according to the law and principles without any consideration."
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