[2022 National Audit] Yoon's 'Anabada' Remark Sparks Welfare Committee Debate... "You Just Stay Quiet"

New Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong is attending the National Assembly's audit of the Ministry of Health and Welfare held on the 5th, responding to lawmakers' questions. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] On the 5th, during the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee's audit of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, a confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties broke out over President Yoon Seok-yeol's question about 'Anabada' (an abbreviation for saving, sharing, exchanging, and reusing) last month, causing a disruption.

Kim Won-i, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, claimed to Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong, "There is a working document showing that the Ministry reported the meaning of 'Anabada' to President Yoon before his visit to a daycare center in Sejong City last month," adding, "Perhaps due to a lack of understanding, the president's attempts at on-site communication cause controversy whenever he visits the field."

Earlier, on the 27th of last month, President Yoon visited a daycare center in Sejong City and asked about the meaning of 'Anabada' while talking with childcare teachers.

Kang Ki-yoon, a member of the People Power Party, requested a parliamentary procedure statement after Kim's inquiry, saying, "The opposition is exaggerating issues like 'whether the president knows Anabada or not'."

In response, Kim said, "Mr. Kang's remarks clearly crossed the line, and why is he commenting on a fellow lawmaker's inquiry to the Ministry of Health and Welfare? He should explain his own statements during his questioning time, whether to defend the president or the ministry. Please remain silent."

Then Kang raised his voice toward Kim, saying, "You should be quiet," to which Kim replied, "I will give you a chance to correct yourself. Apologize."

Kang retorted, "Why can't I call you 'you'?" and "Do you have the authority to lecture me?" refusing to back down, leading to loud exchanges in the committee. Chairwoman Jung Chun-sook said, "We cannot proceed any further," and suspended the meeting.