Ruling Party: "False Interviews Constitute National Disgrace" vs. Opposition: "Should We Judge Every Individual Report?"

December 12 National Assembly Science and ICT Committee Full Meeting, Ruling and Opposition Parties Fail to Agree on Agenda, Session Disrupted After 30 Minutes

The National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee held a plenary session on the 12th and planned to conduct a current issue inquiry regarding allegations of false interviews related to Daejang-dong, but the session was disrupted due to the absence of opposition party members.

The committee convened a plenary session in the afternoon on the 12th at the ruling party's request, but the opposition party opposed the agreed schedule, resulting in no agenda being presented and the session adjourning after 28 minutes.

The ruling party argued that the false interview allegations related to Daejang-dong constitute a serious matter amounting to 'national disgrace' and insisted on the necessity of a current issue inquiry. Park Sung-joong, a member of the committee from the People Power Party, said, "This incident is not a simple reporting issue. It is a very important matter that shakes the national flag of the Republic of Korea," adding, "Originally, candidate Yoon Seok-yeol was leading by about 10% a week before the presidential election, but in the final stages, the difference narrowed to 0.7%. There is definitely a possibility that this had an influence."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Hong Seok-joon, also from the People Power Party, stated, "This case is not just simple fake news; it shakes the foundation of democracy, disrupts the constitutional order, and is literally a shocking incident of national disgrace," adding, "I think an investigation should be conducted quickly and the parties involved should be prosecuted. The fact that the National Assembly's Science and Technology Committee is not playing any role and not even conducting a current issue inquiry is a dereliction of duty by the relevant standing committee."

On the other hand, the opposition emphasized that the schedule was not agreed upon and argued that the false interview allegations are inappropriate as a current issue inquiry agenda.

Jo Seung-rae, a member of the committee from the Democratic Party, said, "They want to conduct a current issue inquiry on individual news reports. They define those as fake news, claim it is a national disgrace, and even demand the harshest punishment equivalent to first-degree murder, while insisting on a current issue inquiry on individual reports. I want to point out the inappropriateness of this agenda."

He explained, "There are times when reports by various broadcasters may include articles suspected of being fake news that are painful to the ruling party, and there are also allegations raised against the opposition," adding, "I find it questionable whether it is appropriate to settle the truth or falsehood of such individual news through our committee's current issue inquiry." He further added, "Such actions could be seen as an outrage against the press or sometimes as madness."

Members of the committee from the Democratic Party held a separate press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office during the meeting, pointing out, "Everyone knows that the People Power Party's talk of fake news is just sweet talk and, in reality, an attempt to control critical media," and warned that if the People Power Party does not withdraw its demand for a current issue inquiry and Chairman Jang does not apologize, normal operation of the committee this month will be impossible.

Chairman Jang, from the People Power Party, did not present the current issue inquiry agenda on the day but acknowledged the necessity of the inquiry. He said, "At this point, I think the request to convene the plenary session is extremely reasonable. As chairman, I judge that the urgency and seriousness of the matter are significant," adding, "Nevertheless, since the Democratic Party ultimately did not agree to the agenda, I believe there are difficulties in operating a standing committee that is based on bipartisan agreement," and declared the adjournment.

Earlier, on the 31st of last month, Chairman Jang also adjourned a plenary session held at the Democratic Party's request after about 20 minutes, citing "a schedule not agreed upon by both parties."