[PhotoPolitics] Words, Words, Words Instead of Physical Fights.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Dong-joo] Words. Words. Words.

This week, the political world was in turmoil due to lawmakers' harsh 'blunt remarks' and 'rough expressions' controversies.

Kim Moon-soo, Chairman of the Economic, Social and Labor Council, appeared at the National Assembly on the 12th for the National Assembly audit of the Economic, Social and Labor Council, and took the oath as a witness. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Kim Moon-soo, Chairman of the Economic, Social and Labor Council, is drinking water as if he is thirsty during the National Assembly audit of the Economic, Social and Labor Council held on the 12th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Jeon Yong-gi, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is questioning Kim Moon-soo, Chairman of the Economic, Social and Labor Council, about past remarks during the National Assembly audit of the Economic, Social and Labor Committee held on the 12th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the 12th, during the National Assembly audit of the Economic, Social and Labor Council, Chairman Kim Moon-soo's 'anti-labor' slur was displayed on the screen. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The biggest figure involved in the blunt remarks controversy was Kim Moon-soo, Chairman of the Economic, Social and Labor Council, who referred to former President Moon Jae-in as a 'Kim Il-sungist,' leading to his expulsion from the National Assembly audit session. Despite demands for an apology from Democratic Party lawmakers and the spreading social backlash, Chairman Kim did not relent. He appeared on a radio program and stated, “The ideology of Shin Young-bok is the ideology of Kim Il-sung,” adding, “(Former President Moon Jae-in) should be seen as a Kim Il-sungist who considers Shin Young-bok’s ideology as the most respected ideology,” indicating no intention to apologize. The Democratic Party filed charges against Chairman Kim for insult and perjury at the National Assembly and demanded an apology from President Yoon Suk-yeol, who appointed him.

Jung Jin-seok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, attended the discussion forum titled "A Great Transformation in Semiconductor Workforce Training! Gangwon-do Starts It" held at the National Assembly on the 11th. After the event, while moving, he responded to reporters' questions regarding his statement that "Joseon did not fall due to Japanese military invasion." Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, attended the National Future Forum held at the CCMM Building in Yeouido, Seoul on the 12th, and is seen talking with Chung Jin-seok, emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

In this week's blunt remarks controversy, Jeong Jin-seok, Chairman of the People Power Party Emergency Committee, is also considered a key figure.

When social criticism arose over a Japanese military vessel flying the 'Rising Sun Flag' during a South Korea-U.S.-Japan joint military exercise near Dokdo, Chairman Jeong posted on his SNS, saying, "Joseon was rotten and decayed from within," and "Japan never fought a war with the Joseon Dynasty," sparking controversy over a 'colonial historical perspective.'

The Democratic Party submitted a disciplinary proposal against Chairman Jeong to the National Assembly Secretariat.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding his remarks, Chairman Jeong rebutted the 'pro-Japanese' controversy by saying, "That is not a colonial historical perspective but history itself. Please study more."

The National Assembly introduced the 'National Assembly Advancement Act' in 2012. Thanks to this, physical fights among lawmakers have almost disappeared, but it seems that 'blunt remarks' have taken their place. Politics begins and ends with words, but one must also know when and where to speak.