The Democratic Party submits an ethics committee disciplinary proposal for Kwon Chil-seung over 'Cheonanham offensive remarks'

"Defamation of Cheonan Ship Causes Loss of Dignity"
Names of 20 Lawmakers Including Im Byeongheon Listed

The People Power Party filed a complaint with the National Assembly Ethics Special Committee on the 8th against Kwon Chil-seung, the chief spokesperson of the Democratic Party, over his controversial remarks about former Cheonan ship captain Choi Won-il. On the same day, Kwon is scheduled to meet and have a direct conversation with former Captain Choi.

Jang Dong-hyuk, the floor spokesperson of the People Power Party, and Im Byung-heon, the deputy floor leader, submitted a disciplinary proposal against Kwon to the National Assembly's Legislative Affairs Office in the morning. In addition to Deputy Leader Im, 20 other lawmakers signed the disciplinary proposal.

Floor Spokesperson Jang stated, "We submitted the disciplinary proposal because (Kwon) made insulting and defamatory remarks about the Cheonan ship captain and the soldiers, seriously damaging the dignity of a lawmaker."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the 5th, Kwon made a remark in response to reporters' questions about former Captain Choi demanding dismissal after Lee Rae-gyeong, honorary director of Another Hundred Years and newly appointed innovation committee chair of the Democratic Party, mentioned the past ‘Cheonan ship self-destruction theory.’ Kwon said, "With what face does he say that? He killed all his subordinates; it’s outrageous." Following the controversy over this remark, Kwon officially apologized at a National Assembly press conference on the 7th.

Despite Kwon’s apology, the People Power Party argued that he must take responsibility for his actions. Floor Spokesperson Jang said, "Although Kwon apologized yesterday (the 7th), I believe that any damage to dignity and wrongdoing must be met with responsibility proportional to the gravity of the misconduct."

They also raised the issue of responsibility of Lee Jae-myung, the party leader who appointed Honorary Director Lee as the innovation committee chair, which triggered the problem. Floor Spokesperson Jang emphasized, "This incident started when Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader, appointed Lee Rae-gyeong as the party’s innovation committee chair. Lee Jae-myung, who stands at the center of this issue, needs to apologize and clearly state the Democratic Party’s position on the Cheonan ship issue, which has been repeated for 13 years."

He added, "Kwon should not stop at just apologizing. Whether he steps down from his chief spokesperson position himself or Lee replaces him with someone else, if such measures are not taken, it cannot be seen as appropriate responsibility for the defamatory and insulting remarks."

Kwon is scheduled to meet former Captain Choi directly on the day. Floor Spokesperson Jang explained, "Although Kwon said he would meet former Captain Choi today, regardless of that, because Lee has not shown responsible leadership and Kwon has not taken weighty responsibility appropriate to his actions, we had no choice but to file the complaint with the Ethics Committee."