Jang Je-won vs. Opposition, Heated Exchange at the Public Administration Committee... "Have Some Shame" vs. "Rude"

Jang Je-won to Lee Seong-man, who left the Democratic Party: "Have some shame"
Lee Seong-man: "Rude"
Ruling party requests "cooperation" in boycott of Democratic Party plenary session

Jang Je-won, chairman of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee (affiliated with the People Power Party), and members of the committee from the Democratic Party engaged in a heated exchange, including finger-pointing, during the plenary session held on the 16th. Democratic Party lawmakers boycotted the meeting, condemning Chairman Jang's "biased procedural conduct" and "mocking remarks," while ruling party committee members opposed the boycott, calling it a "deliberate act to disrupt the meeting."

The verbal dispute began when Chairman Jang demanded a specific response from Park Chan-jin, Secretary General of the Central Election Commission, regarding North Korea's hacking attack on the election commission during the meeting. As Chairman Jang pressed Secretary General Park with questions, opposition and independent lawmakers, including those from the Democratic Party, criticized him by saying "(The chairman) should be presiding over the session," and requested the right to speak for procedural matters.

During this process, Lee Seong-man, a lawmaker who left the Democratic Party amid allegations of 'party convention money envelopes,' protested by pointing his finger at Chairman Jang. In response, Chairman Jang said to Lee, "Do you still have the strength to shout and point fingers?" and added, "You should be ashamed. You should be ashamed of moving your seat to the left." This was a reference to Lee moving from the right side, where Democratic Party lawmakers sit, to the left side, where People Power Party and independent lawmakers are seated, after his departure from the Democratic Party.

Jang Je-won, Chairman of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee, is speaking at the full committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 22nd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Chairman Jang continued his questioning of Secretary General Park without granting speaking rights to the Democratic Party lawmakers. The Democratic Party members continued to protest, saying things like "See, you’re not giving us the floor," and "Why is the chairman asking the questions?" Chairman Jang retorted with remarks such as "Where are you speaking informally from?" and "Is the thief feeling guilty?" During this exchange, Lee raised his voice at Chairman Jang, saying, "You’re speaking rudely."

Kim Gyo-heung, the Democratic Party's secretary for the Public Administration and Security Committee, criticized, "It is inappropriate for the chairman to demand answers that suit his preferences," and added, "I cannot help but point out that mixing emotions into presiding over the session is problematic." He also demanded an apology, saying, "The chairman’s expression implying 'haven’t you come to your senses?' regarding Lee Seong-man’s move from right to left is not only undignified for a chairman but also disrespectful to a fellow lawmaker."

On the other hand, Lee Man-hee, the People Power Party’s secretary for the committee, defended Chairman Jang, saying, "The chairman merely urged the Central Election Commission to provide a clear answer," and "The chairman has every right to demand accurate responses." He also addressed Lee Seong-man, saying, "How much shouting and finger-pointing must have occurred for such comments to arise? It is inappropriate to speak to the chairman in such a one-sided manner."

Chairman Jang later declared a recess and announced the meeting would resume at 3 p.m., but Democratic Party committee members mentioned boycotting the committee and demanded an apology from Chairman Jang. Immediately after the recess, they held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office, stating, "We demand an immediate apology for the remarks insulting a fellow lawmaker’s personal character," and warned, "If Chairman Jang does not express an intention to apologize, all Democratic Party Public Administration and Security Committee members will boycott all committee schedules except for the processing of the Public Officials Ethics Act."

People Power Party committee members also held a press conference at the Communication Office, urging Democratic Party lawmakers to return to the meeting. Lee Man-hee said, "In the morning session, Chairman Jang urged Secretary General Park to provide a proper answer as his responses to fellow lawmakers’ questions were unclear," and added, "Originally, a current affairs inquiry was scheduled for the 9th, but it was postponed for a week at the opposition’s request. We postponed it for a week with the intention of jointly considering important issues and preparing alternatives with both ruling and opposition parties. Even if it is difficult, isn’t it important to clearly clarify critical national security issues and suspicions together?"