Kim Han-gyu Sued for 'Expo Is Doomed' Remark... "Does Insulting Me Restore Damaged National Prestige?"

The People Power Party filed a complaint with the National Assembly Ethics Committee against Kim Han-gyu, the floor spokesperson of the Democratic Party of Korea, who made remarks implying that "the Busan Expo is practically off the table due to the disruption of the Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree." In response, Representative Kim protested, saying, "Are they trying to evade the situation through political strife?"

On the 17th, Kim posted on his social media, "Does insulting me restore the damaged national dignity? Can it rebuild the shattered pride of the people?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He criticized the ruling party, saying, "We need to objectively assess how the Jamboree incident affected our country's standing and how the international community views it in order to prepare appropriate measures to overcome it. But are they just trying to evade this situation through political strife?"

He added, "If they truly care about national interests, they must change through intense reflection and introspection while there is still time and opportunity. And they must show such a stance to the international community. Punishing opposition lawmakers for raising issues by nitpicking their words and covering the place with critical banners is not the image of a 'liberal democracy' country."

Meanwhile, on the same day, People Power Party lawmakers Ahn Byung-gil and Jeon Bong-min submitted a disciplinary proposal against Representative Kim to the National Assembly Ethics Committee. The proposal was signed by 22 lawmakers from the People Power Party's Yeongnam region. Lawmaker Ahn stated, "It is a defamation of dignity that a member of the National Assembly not only failed to support a national project but also mocked and disparaged it. As seen in today's media reports, no matter how much the Democratic Party belittles and obstructs, it has been confirmed that there is 'no abnormality' in the Busan Expo bid front."