Among 268 Members of the National Assembly, 150 in Favor, 109 Opposed, 9 Abstained
Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 5th, presiding over the final meeting. To enhance the negotiation power of the newly elected floor leadership on the 8th, Kim unusually announced his intention to resign early. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Kim Ki-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, was disciplined with a '30-day suspension from attending the National Assembly' for occupying the chair of the Chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee.
The disciplinary motion against Kim, passed at the plenary session of the National Assembly on the 20th, was submitted by the Democratic Party of Korea on the 4th. According to Article 155 of the National Assembly Act, if a member occupies the chair of the Speaker or committee chairman, disciplinary action can be taken through a plenary session vote without review by the Special Ethics Committee.
At the plenary session that afternoon, the National Assembly held a secret ballot on Kim’s disciplinary motion, which was approved with 150 votes in favor, 109 against, and 9 abstentions out of 268 members present.
The suspension motion requires a majority of the total members present and a majority of those voting in favor.
Thus, it can be passed solely with the support of the Democratic Party, the ruling party and the largest opposition party.
Following the plenary session’s decision, Kim will be barred from attending the National Assembly for one month, during which he will receive only half of his allowances, legislative activity expenses, and special activity expenses.
The deliberation on Kim’s disciplinary motion was conducted publicly that day. Although the National Assembly Act generally mandates closed sessions, the People Power Party requested a public hearing, and after a vote, the entire process except for the vote itself was made public.
Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, who requested to speak during the proceedings, stated, "This is an act of violence based solely on the logic of power, without even confirming the facts or meeting the disciplinary requirements," and declared a firm stance to "fight to the end through a constitutional complaint."
He added, "The principle of closed disciplinary sessions is to protect the rights to privacy, honor, and human rights of the person involved, but Kim demands openness because he is confident and proud," and urged, "Please stop this petty behavior of using the overwhelming number of seats as a weapon to arbitrarily interpret the National Assembly Act and to smear and suppress minority parties."
In response, Park Chan-dae of the Democratic Party countered regarding Kim’s occupation of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee chairman’s seat, saying, "How can one say that the procedure was not violated when a human barrier was erected to block access and even the gavel was seized," and added, "President Yoon Seok-yeol also bears responsibility for allowing such illegality to occur."
Kim Ki-hyun himself, in a personal statement, said, "Once again, I will stand firm against the Democratic Party’s oppressive disciplinary action like an Ottogi (a resilient brand), standing solely for justice and the people, and protect parliamentary democracy in this country."
He continued, "I still believe that the National Assembly can work solely for the people when dialogue and compromise-based cooperation function normally," before leaving the meeting room.
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