Park Ji-won calls Acting Choi a "Jjanggu"… Even Speaker Woo says "It's embarrassing" amid ruling and opposition verbal clash

Park Ji-won Criticizes Choi Sang-mok:
"Playing Jjanggu for the Ringleader of Rebellion"
Speaker Woo Steps In as Ruling and Opposition Parties Clash:
"This Is Truly Embarrassing"

During the government questioning session on economic issues held at the National Assembly plenary session on the 13th, loud voices and jeers were exchanged between ruling and opposition party members during the questioning time of Park Ji-won, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea. As heated exchanges involving terms like 'dementia' escalated, Speaker Woo Won-shik eventually stepped in to mediate. Park questioned Choi Sang-mok, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, about President Yoon Seok-yeol's emergency martial law and the suspension of the appointment of Ma Eun-hyuk as a Constitutional Court justice nominee. During the questioning, Park mentioned his connection with Acting Prime Minister Choi from their time working together at the Blue House and introduced Choi as a genius who passed the civil service exam at an early age.

Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok is responding to a question from Park Ji-won, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, during the government-related economic inquiry held at the National Assembly plenary session on the 13th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

He then asked, "Wasn't Acting Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok's school nickname 'Jjanggu'?" to which Choi replied, "That's correct." Park retorted, "The genius Jjanggu should act as Jjanggu for the Republic of Korea, not for the traitor Yoon Seok-yeol." Choi responded, "I am doing my best for the stability of the people and their livelihoods."

Park then criticized Choi for withholding the appointment of Ma Eun-hyuk as a Constitutional Court justice nominee, saying, "Among the three Constitutional Court justices appointed through legal procedures, only Ma Eun-hyuk is not being appointed, which is causing this confusion." He added, "Acting Prime Minister Choi is not an acting president but an acting veto power holder. He is inheriting only the bad traits of Yoon Seok-yeol," criticizing him.

Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok and Democratic Party lawmaker Park Ji-won shake hands after finishing their questions during the economic sector interpellation held at the National Assembly plenary session on the 13th. Photo by Yonhap News

At this point, jeers came from the ruling party seats. Despite the loud voices and criticism, Park continued his questioning. He asked Choi, "If the Constitutional Court rules in favor of appointing nominee Ma, will you appoint him or not?" When Choi evasively answered, "The decision has not been made yet, so it is difficult to say in advance," Park again mentioned 'Jjanggu.' He said, "Is that the kind of answer geniuses give? Is that the 'gonzo' that Jjanggu would do? That is unacceptable," reprimanding him.

The People Power Party protested again. When Park raised his voice telling them to be quiet, explicit expressions were exchanged between both sides. Some members insulted Park, the oldest member of the 22nd National Assembly, by asking, "Do you have dementia?" This led Democratic Party members to join in, making the chamber even more chaotic. As loud voices continued from both sides, Speaker Woo stepped in to mediate. He said, "I have been a member of the National Assembly several times, but it has never been this excessive," adding, "It is truly embarrassing for the public to see this." He also emphasized, "Calling a senior member 'dementia' is excessive, and the language exchanged here is also excessive. As members of the National Assembly, even if opinions differ, we must listen to each other."