Stayed at the National Assembly Throughout the Impeachment Process, Managing a Hectic Schedule
Prepaid Coffee for National Assembly Staff Who Worked Together Through Difficult Times
Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Wonsik personally prepaid 5 million won out of his own pocket for National Assembly staff who worked hard during the period of martial law and the impeachment crisis. He used his personal credit card, not public funds such as business operation expenses or a corporate card.
On December 16, Speaker Woo posted a photo of a notice titled "The Speaker of the National Assembly Treats" on his Facebook page. The post included the message, "The Speaker prepaid 1 million won to express gratitude to the National Assembly family who worked hard during the emergency situation," and stated, "Please present your National Assembly employee ID or permanent access pass to enjoy one drink each."
Woo Wonsik, Speaker of the National Assembly, is signing the impeachment resolution against President Yoon Sukyeol at the National Assembly on the 14th.
Speaker Woo said, "The National Assembly members truly worked hard throughout the martial law and impeachment process. Public officials did their part, and journalists did theirs as well," adding, "Some public officials were injured while blocking the martial law troops, and some could not return home for several days. They voluntarily contributed ideas, took the initiative, protected their workplace, and defended democracy." He continued, "Journalists also did their best, risking their safety to ensure that the public was well informed about the situation in the National Assembly. Out of gratitude and sincerity, I prepaid 1 million won at each of the five coffee shops inside the National Assembly. Everyone is delighted. Please enjoy your drinks."
In response to the post, online users commented, "Your calm and steady leadership in times of crisis has earned deep trust," "What a wonderful gesture," "If you come here, we’ll treat you to coffee for all your hard work," and "The Speaker’s coffee time truly warms the heart."
On the 16th, Woo Wonsik, the Speaker of the National Assembly, posted a photo of a notice titled "The Speaker of the National Assembly Treats" on his Facebook. The post included the message, "The Speaker prepaid 1 million won to express gratitude to the National Assembly family who worked hard during the emergency situation," and stated, "Please present your National Assembly employee ID or regular access pass to enjoy one drink each." Woo Wonsik Facebook
In addition, a post titled "A Week of Woo Wonsik" was uploaded to an online community. The post highlighted Speaker Woo's activities from the declaration of martial law on December 3 to the passage of the impeachment bill against President Yoon Sukyeol. It included photos of Speaker Woo climbing over a wall during the urgent situation of the martial law declaration and staying inside the Assembly compound.
Previously, after the resolution demanding the lifting of martial law passed on December 4, Speaker Woo declared, "I will remain on emergency standby in my office at the National Assembly and not return to the official residence until the situation is resolved." In fact, it is reported that until just before the resolution of the '12·3 Martial Law Incident,' Speaker Woo always ate at the National Assembly cafeteria, took walks inside the compound when he needed a change of pace, and slept in his office within the Assembly.
Because of these actions, Speaker Woo Wonsik has earned a high level of trust from citizens during the impeachment crisis. According to a Korea Gallup poll conducted from December 10 to 12 among 1,002 adults aged 18 and older nationwide, 56% of respondents said they "trust" Speaker Woo, ranking him first among key government figures. This is higher than Lee Jaemyung, leader of the Democratic Party (41%), and Han Ducksoo, Acting President and Prime Minister (21%).
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