Im Oh-kyung says, "Jung Cheong-rae bullied many friends during school days," causing him to be flustered and say, "Why are you like this?"... Transcript deletion incident

"Just a joke... Please do not take it seriously" Request to delete transcript

Im Oh-kyung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee's audit held on the 21st at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] Im Okyeong, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, sparked controversy by mentioning Democratic Party member Jeong Cheongrae during a National Assembly audit inquiry related to 'school violence.' It was later reported that Im requested the deletion of the transcript of this remark.

Im, a former handball player and coach, questioned Hwang Hee, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, on the morning of the 21st at the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee audit about 'measures to handle school violence among athletes.'

He said, "(Member Jeong) reportedly got into a lot of fights when he was in school," and "He reportedly bullied many friends." He then asked Minister Hwang, "Did you ever get into fights at school?" and "Did you ever bully friends?"

This caused murmurs among the Democratic Party members seated nearby. Members Kim Seungwon and Park Jeong of the same party appeared quite embarrassed, and Jeong, the person targeted by the questions, could not hide his bewilderment, saying, "What's going on?"

Jeong Cheong-rae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Education Committee plenary meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on April 21. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier that day, Im had worn a hanbok to the audit session in celebration of Hanbok Day and urged Minister Hwang to consider plans to promote the hanbok industry, while also saying, "I suggested to Member Jeong sitting next to me that he wear hanbok together, but he refused."

Eventually, seemingly aware of the tense atmosphere, Im concluded his inquiry by saying, "My earlier mention of Member Jeong Cheongrae was purely a joke, so please do not take it seriously," and requested, "I ask that this be deleted from the transcript."

In response, Lee Chaeik, chair of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, said, "Deletion does not happen just because Member Im unilaterally requests it," then sought the members' show of hands and reportedly deleted the remark from the transcript.