'30-Day Suspension from National Assembly' Kim Ki-hyun, Reason for Wearing a Black Tie

"Parliamentary Democracy Died Today"
National Assembly Approves 30-Day Suspension
"Candidate Lee Jae-myung May Have Ordered It"

Kim Ki-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, is making a personal statement before the vote on his disciplinary proposal at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 20th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] On the 20th, Kim Ki-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, ascended the podium in the National Assembly plenary hall wearing a black tie and black suit. He said about his attire, "It is to inform the public that parliamentary democracy died today."

On this day, the disciplinary motion against Kim was processed before the vote on the confirmation of Han Duck-soo as Prime Minister. Earlier, the Democratic Party of Korea submitted the disciplinary motion on the grounds that Kim had obstructed the meeting by occupying the chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee during the so-called 'complete removal of prosecution investigation rights (Geomsu Wanbak)' legislation. On the 26th of last month, Kim sat in the chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee when Chairman Park Kwang-on was absent. The Democratic Party claimed that Kim obstructed the proceedings by refusing to comply with Chairman Park's order to maintain order according to the National Assembly Act and occupying the chair.

Before making a personal statement, Kim sighed deeply. He said, "I will not use the term 'respected,' which I had used out of courtesy, except for respect for the people," adding, "I solemnly report the scene where freedom democracy is thoroughly trampled upon by some unreasonable Democratic Party members who outwardly wear the guise of democracy but actually worship majority violence in the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea."

On the 20th, a disciplinary motion against Kim Ki-hyun, former floor leader of the People Power Party, was passed at the plenary session held at the National Assembly. Earlier, the Democratic Party submitted disciplinary motions against People Power Party members Kim Ki-hyun and Bae Hyun-jin to the National Assembly Ethics Special Committee for obstructing proceedings during the legislative standoff over the 'complete removal of prosecution's investigative authority' (Geomsu Wanbak). Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

He continued, "Do you remember the words of Lee Jae-myung, then the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, last September, saying, 'After punishing Floor Leader Kim, I will further confine him to an Antarctic island'?" He cited the fact that he had exposed Lee's alleged corruption in the Daejang-dong and Baekhyeon-dong development scandals, illegal bribery allegations involving Seongnam FC, and payment of lawyer fees. He said, "Lee probably wanted to eliminate Kim Ki-hyun, who was a thorn in his side at all costs. Perhaps Lee even ordered targeted disciplinary action, saying, 'Impose sanctions on Kim Ki-hyun no matter the cost.'"

He added, "It was probably also necessary to divert attention from the Democratic Party's fault in rushing through the Geomsu Wanbak legislation," criticizing, "They submitted an ambiguous disciplinary motion of '30 days suspension from attendance' to punish Kim Ki-hyun, who led the minority opposition party, won repeatedly in negotiations and fights, and ultimately led to regime change, also charging him with contempt."

He said, "When I briefly sat in the chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, the committee had not even convened yet, and I stood up on my own after it opened. Until then, Chairman Park Kwang-on had not taken any action demanding the chair be vacated or the occupation be lifted."

During Kim's speech, applause was heard in the plenary hall. Voices chanting 'Kim Ki-hyun' in unison were also heard.

Kim said, "There is a song I used to sing during my university days when protesting against the military regime: 'I would rather die standing than live kneeling.'" He added, "If you truly think I have disgraced the honor and authority of the National Assembly, then instead of the embarrassing threat of a 30-day suspension from attendance, please expel me."

The disciplinary motion vote, conducted by secret ballot, resulted in 150 votes in favor and 109 against.