Ruling and Opposition Parties Clash Over Death of Rights Commission Official
Democratic Party: "Luxury Bag Incident Closure Caused Death"
People Power Party: "Regrettable Death Exploited for Political Struggle"
During a hearing on the impeachment motion against Prosecutor Kim Young-chul held by the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee (Law Committee), an unexpected controversy arose over the 'death of a senior official at the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC).' Jeon Hyun-hee, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, claimed that the recent death of the ACRC official was related to the closure of the case involving First Lady Kim Keon-hee's luxury handbag incident, stating, "Kim Keon-hee is a murderer." In response, members of the People Power Party demanded a public apology for her extreme remarks.
On the 14th, the Law Committee held a hearing to investigate matters related to the impeachment motion against Kim Young-chul, Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office. During a procedural speech in the morning session, Rep. Jeon mentioned the death of the ACRC official, saying, "Kim Keon-hee and Yoon Seok-yeol killed the director. They are murderers." In response, Song Seok-jun of the People Power Party pointed out, "(Rep. Jeon) is not qualified to make such statements," while Jang Kyung-tae of the Democratic Party countered, "A person died over a 3 million won luxury handbag." Despite the chairman's attempts to intervene, lawmakers from both parties shouted at each other and gestured aggressively even with their microphones off.
On the morning of the 14th, at the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee hearing regarding Prosecutor Kim Young-chul's "Impeachment Investigation Case," Jeon Hyun-hee, a Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker (left), was making a parliamentary procedure statement related to the death of a senior official of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, while Song Seok-jun, a People Power Party lawmaker (right), protested, leading to a heated exchange. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Members of the People Power Party in the Law Committee demanded a public apology from the Democratic Party for Rep. Jeon's remarks. The ruling party's committee members criticized the comments in a press conference, calling them "irresponsible and shameless remarks that exploit the tragic death of a public official for political strife," and stated, "There is no sign of mourning or reflection for the deceased in the face of political gain, showing a cruel attitude." They also claimed, "Rep. Jeon was the very person who burdened the organization during her tenure as ACRC chairperson from 2020 to 2023, receiving audits from the Board of Audit and Inspection for habitual tardiness and other issues." Rep. Jeon served as the chairperson of the ACRC during the period from 2020 to 2023.
Furthermore, they emphasized, "The public will judge who harassed ACRC employees and drove them to death," and urged, "The Democratic Party should first reflect and show self-restraint, and publicly apologize for the extreme remarks." After the press conference, Rep. Song told reporters, "Even after the launch of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, many ACRC employees expressed suffering and frustration until the moment Rep. Jeon stepped down as chairperson," adding, "Those factors likely had a direct or indirect impact on this tragic death."
On the afternoon of the 14th, at the hearing related to the 'Investigation of the Impeachment Case of Prosecutor Kim Young-chul' held by the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Song Seok-jun, a member of the People Power Party, is speaking. [Image source=Yonhap News]
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