Jang Je-won Makes 'Phone Complaint' to Bae Hyun-jin Who Called Son's Issue 'Very Absurd'

Baek Hyun-jin, Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Jang Je-won, a member of the People Power Party, reportedly expressed regret over a phone call to Bae Hyun-jin, a Supreme Council member of the same party, who criticized the controversy surrounding his son's drunk driving and assault on a police officer.

According to a News1 report on the 28th, Jang reportedly protested Bae's mention of his son’s issue at the Supreme Council meeting the previous day (27th).

At the Supreme Council meeting that day, Bae criticized the fact that Jang’s son, rapper Noel (real name Jang Yong-jun), was booked on charges including unlicensed drunk driving and assaulting a police officer on the 18th, saying, "Recently, children of our party’s lawmakers have repeatedly made headlines in the social section. It is very absurd as both a Supreme Council member and a young person of the Republic of Korea that there was another deviation during the probation period, even rising to the level of a Blue House national petition." Noel was previously sentenced to probation after being prosecuted for drunk driving and attempting to switch drivers last year.

Bae added, "Instead of avoiding it as a family matter rather than his own, a sincere attitude of self-reflection and restraint is necessary," and said, "The party and its members cannot cover up personal issues that already know their public responsibilities. The party is not a breeding ground for deviation."

Meanwhile, due to the repeated controversies involving his son, a petition demanding Jang’s removal from his position as a member of the National Assembly was posted on the Blue House national petition board. As of 8:50 PM on the 28th, the petition had gained the support of about 170,000 people.

As the criticism spread, Jang resigned from his position as the general director of the Yoon Seok-yeol campaign today (28th). In a post on Facebook, Jang said, "I deeply reflect on the sin of raising my child poorly and will take time for self-reflection."