People Power Party Demands Disciplinary Action Against Democratic Party Lawmaker Kim Yong-min for 'Co-conspirator in Rebellion' Remark

"'Co-conspirator in rebellion' abusive remarks to be reported to Ethics Committee"
"Cannot overlook... Doubts about the qualifications of the National Assembly member"

Yoo Sang-beom, People Power Party member. Photo by Yonhap News

Yoo Sang-beom, a member of the People Power Party, announced that he will file a complaint with the National Assembly Ethics Committee against Kim Yong-min, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who used the term "co-conspirator in a rebellion" toward ruling party lawmakers.

Yoo, the ruling party floor whip of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, told reporters at the National Assembly on the 18th, "I plan to request disciplinary action from the Ethics Committee regarding Kim's reckless remarks yesterday in the Judiciary Committee, where he called our lawmakers co-conspirators in a rebellion." He added, "This is absolutely unacceptable and makes us question his qualifications as a lawmaker."

Earlier, on the 17th, during the plenary session of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, while questioning Cheon Dae-yeop, the head of the Court Administration Office, Kim stated, "Ruling party lawmakers are talking about delaying the trial of Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, but the court should not accept that as true." He then claimed, "Although I cannot specify who among the ruling party (Judiciary Committee) members, a significant number conspired in rebellion alongside former People Power Party floor leader Chu Kyung-ho." He added, "(They) delayed the plenary session to lift martial law. Such co-conspirators exist among the ruling party lawmakers."

On the 17th, at the plenary meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly, Jeong Cheong-rae, chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Yoo Sang-beom, ruling party secretary, and Kim Seung-won, opposition party secretary, are having a conversation regarding the education committee's jurisdictional bills. Photo by Yonhap News

In response, ruling party lawmakers immediately pushed back. Lawmaker Park Jun-tae said, "Please watch your words," and Song Seok-jun also criticized, saying, "There is a line that should not be crossed." At that time, Yoo also showed anger, saying, "The police have confirmed that such facts do not exist. Stop making baseless provocations." In response, Kim shouted, "Listen up. Where do these co-conspirators dare to act recklessly?" and said, "Ruling party lawmakers tried to arrest judges." When Park protested again, saying, "There is a limit. Watch your words," Kim sarcastically replied, "Why? Should I be arrested again?" Democratic Party lawmaker Seo Young-kyo defended Kim, asking the ruling party lawmakers, "Then where were you and what were you doing when the martial law lifting was approved?"

In the end, Yoo stated, "Kim must clearly apologize and delete the transcript of this remark to attend the meeting," adding, "If there is no apology, we cannot proceed any further." However, Jeong Cheong-rae, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, summarized, "Whether someone is a co-conspirator in a rebellion or not is a mutual claim among lawmakers. I do not think it is something that requires an apology." In protest, People Power Party lawmakers all left the meeting room and held a press conference at the Communication Center. They pointed out, "Kim made utterly unacceptable remarks toward People Power Party lawmakers," and "Chairman Jeong consistently defended Kim's reckless remarks."