Park Ji-won "Apologies for Swearing at Kim Jin-pyo... The Biggest Controversy in My Political Career"

"Close to Kim Jin-pyo... Emphasized the Speaker's Authority to Submit Bills Directly"

Park Ji-won, the elected representative of Haenam, Wando, and Jindo from the Democratic Party of Korea, apologized for making offensive remarks toward Speaker of the National Assembly Kim Jin-pyo during a YouTube broadcast, saying, "This is the first major controversy in my political career."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 2nd, Park said on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' "I have five broadcast schedules today, but I decided to go ahead and apologize for my mistake because I was worried that canceling them might be given some meaning," adding, "It was wrong to use inappropriate language."

He then emphasized his connection with Speaker Kim. Park explained, "I do not hold any ill feelings," and said, "I have been close to Speaker Kim since we worked together when I was the head of the Taxation Office at the Ministry of Strategy and Finance." He continued, "The mandate from the general election is a stern order from the people to the political world to pass the special investigation laws on Kim Keon-hee and Chae Sang-byeong, as well as the Itaewon special law," and explained, "This is within the Speaker's authority and must be tabled for justice and in response to the people's demands."

Park added, "The people gave the opposition 192 seats as a message to the powerless Democratic Party, which, despite having 180 seats, failed to recreate the administration and only looked away when the president exercised a veto on reform legislation, that reform legislation must be passed," and emphasized, "I stressed that the Speaker should exercise his authority to table such matters."

The previous day, Park appeared on the YouTube channel 'Kim Eo-jun's Humility is Difficult News Factory' and sparked controversy with his profanity. He said, "Park Byeong-seok (former Speaker of the National Assembly), Kim Jin-pyo, and Yoon Seok-youl are all the same guys," and added, "They are really bastards," which caused the controversy. While continuing his remarks, he seemed to realize late that it was a live broadcast and asked, "Is this being broadcast now?" but said, "Anyway, I spoke my mind."

After the controversy arose, Park apologized after the broadcast ended. On the same day, he posted on his social media, saying, "I was unaware that the broadcast had started because there was no opening remark, and I spoke inappropriately, which was aired as is," and added, "Regardless of the reason, I sincerely apologize to the parties involved, viewers, and the public for my inappropriate language and behavior," and promised, "I will be more careful with my words and actions in the future."