The dispute over violence between members of the Gyeongnam Provincial Council has escalated from mutual lawsuits to a conflict between the ruling and opposition parties.
On the morning of the 10th, council members from the Democratic Party held a press conference regarding the physical altercation between Han Sanghyeon of the Democratic Party and Choi Dongwon of the People Power Party.
They demanded a thorough investigation, appropriate measures against the perpetrator, and called on Council Chair Kim Jinbu to step in and resolve the issue.
That afternoon, council members from the People Power Party held their own press conference, expressing regret over the Democratic Party's earlier remarks.
The People Power Party members urged that the issue should not be used for political purposes until the police investigation and the council's ethics committee determine responsibility.
Previously, Han filed a complaint against Choi with the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency on the 21st of last month, accusing him of causing injury.
Han claimed that on April 17, during an on-site inspection of the Hadong cable car shortly after the 22nd general election, Choi, who serves on the same standing committee, twisted her arm, resulting in ligament damage and injuries requiring three weeks of treatment.
She stated, "He used a Jeolla dialect to demean a specific region and political party. Even after I asked him to stop the mockery, it continued, and eventually he twisted my arm."
In response, Choi denied Han's allegations and filed a counter-complaint against her for false accusation, insult, and defamation.
Choi asserted, "On April 17, I was insulted by a much younger colleague who said, 'Would you rather get hit for no reason?' and even threatened to hit me. Despite this, I am being portrayed as the perpetrator of violence," he argued.
Last week, the council referred both members to the Special Ethics Committee, which plans to hold its first meeting at 1 p.m. on the 11th to summon both members and investigate the facts.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
