Physical Altercation Between Gyeongnam Provincial Council Members Leads to Cross-Complaints

The dispute over assault between members of the South Gyeongsang Provincial Council has escalated into a legal battle and is expected to be settled through a judicial investigation.

On the 3rd, Choi Dongwon, a council member from the People Power Party, held a press conference at the provincial council and announced that he would file a counter-complaint against Han Sanghyun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who had filed a complaint against him, on charges of false accusation, assault, insult, and defamation.

Choi stated, "On April 17th, I was insulted by a younger colleague, who is 13 years my junior, with the words, 'Do you want to get hit for no reason?' and was even threatened with violence, yet I was framed as the perpetrator of assault."

He continued, "Han spread false information to senior and fellow council members as well as reporters, causing me to receive dozens of phone calls from colleagues and acquaintances, and I had to explain myself to each one. Han appeared on YouTube, and media reports mentioned my real name, so I was branded as the assailant without any chance to explain myself."

Choi Dongwon, a member of the Gyeongnam Provincial Assembly from the People Power Party, is stating his position on the assault dispute in the assembly briefing room.
Photo by Lee Seryeong

He explained, "Due to supraspinatus syndrome in my shoulders, multiple rotator cuff tears, and hand inflammation, I am physically unable to twist someone's arm as Han claims, nor did I do so."

He further argued, "It is claimed that I mocked and disparaged a specific region using the Jeolla dialect, but my second sister-in-law is from Suncheon in South Jeolla, my third sister-in-law is from Gunsan in North Jeolla, and my wife is from Buan in North Jeolla. How could I possibly disparage a region when my wife and her family are from there?"

Choi emphasized, "I have requested a disciplinary review by the Special Ethics Committee of the council, and I hope the truth will be revealed through the investigation of the complaint."

He added, "I will faithfully cooperate with the investigation in the future," and bowed his head, saying, "I apologize for causing concern to the 3.3 million residents, as well as to my seniors and colleagues."

Democratic Party of Korea member Hansang Hyun, a Gyeongnam Provincial Councilor, appeared on a YouTube broadcast.
[Photo by YouTube channel screen capture]

Previously, Han filed a complaint against Choi with the South Gyeongsang Provincial Police Agency on the 21st of last month on charges of injury.

Han claimed that on April 17th, right after the 22nd general election, during a field inspection of the Hadong cable car, Choi, a member of the same standing committee, twisted her arm, resulting in ligament damage and an injury requiring three weeks of recovery.

She stated, "He used the Jeolla dialect to disparage a specific region and political party. I asked him to stop mocking me, but the disparagement and ridicule continued, and eventually, he twisted my arm."

The Ethics Review Committee regarding this dispute is scheduled to report to the regular plenary session on the 4th.

If the agenda passes at the plenary session, the Special Ethics Committee plans to hold a meeting on the 5th to review whether to include the matter in the official schedule.