Ruling Party Pushes to Strengthen Punishment for Lawmaker Assaults, Faces "Sense of Privilege" Criticism from Opposition

Na Kyungwon, Hong Joonpyo, and Yoo Seungmin Also Join in Criticism

On the 24th, the People Power Party criticized the 'Strengthening Punishment for Violent Acts Against Members of the National Assembly' bill proposed by Democratic Party lawmaker Jang Kyung-tae as the 'National Assembly Privilege Act.'

Ham In-kyung, spokesperson for the People Power Party, stated in a commentary that "It is appalling that a member of the National Assembly, entrusted with authority as a representative of the people, intends to use legislative power to impose harsher punishments on the public," and demanded, "Withdraw the Privilege Act for Lawmakers immediately."

It is known that lawmaker Jang is preparing to amend the Assembly Activities Protection Act (National Assembly Act) to warn against threats such as terrorism targeting politicians, death threats, and the use of physical force by the military and police. Previously, on the 21st, Democratic Party lawmaker Baek Hye-ryun was hit in the face with a raw egg during a press conference in front of the Constitutional Court calling for the dismissal of President Yoon Seok-yeol. Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Jae-jung also reported to the police that he was assaulted by a man near the Constitutional Court.

On the 20th, Baek Hye-ryun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, was hit in the face with an egg during a press conference held by the Democratic Party's floor deputy representatives in front of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, urging the swift impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol. Photo by Yonhap News

Senior figures in the ruling party also joined the chorus of criticism against lawmaker Jang. Na Kyung-won, a People Power Party lawmaker, directly attacked on Facebook, saying, "The sense of privilege that the Democratic Party is above the Constitution and above the people is clearly revealed."

Na continued, "Article 11, Clause 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea states, 'No social special class system shall be recognized, nor shall it be established in any form.' While inciting terrorism against Acting Chief Choi Sang-mok to the people, do they think in their hearts that they deserve to be hit by the people? Instead of making laws that oppress the people, I hope they make livelihood laws for the benefit of the people."

Hong Joon-pyo, mayor of Daegu, also pointed out on Facebook, "Please also propose a bill that punishes anyone who hits Lee Jae-myung, known as the 'father of the Democratic Party,' with the death penalty." He warned, "If this continues, public resistance demanding the dissolution of the Assembly may intensify." He added, "If the Democratic Party, holding an overwhelming majority of seats, does not exercise power for the people and keeps using it for such parliamentary violence, it will be difficult to expect the Democratic Party to win the next election ever again," and argued, "If administrative power is also given to this parliamentary violence, the country will be ruled by someone like Hitler."

Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min said, "'All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others' reminds me of Animal Farm. It is a sense of privilege where lawmakers think of themselves as the pigs in Animal Farm." He criticized, "The Constitution clearly states that all citizens are equal before the law, yet it is surprising to have such unconstitutional ideas. If this is to show loyalty to Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, it is pathetic and childish."