The Party for National Innovation: "If Newstapa is 'Jjirasi', Kwon Seong-dong is a 'Gangster'"

In response to Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the People Power Party, verbally abusing and assaulting journalists, the Innovation Party criticized, saying, "Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the People Power Party, is not a politician but a gangster, a thug."

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is shouting demands for the opening of the plenary session while attending the National Assembly plenary session on the 15th. Photo by Yonhap News

Kim Bo-hyeop, the chief spokesperson of the Innovation Party, stated on the 17th in a commentary titled "'If Newstapa is 'jjirasi,' then Kwon Seong-dong is a 'gangster,'" "In videos released by Newstapa and several other media outlets, Kwon Seong-dong aggressively hurled insulting remarks at a Newstapa reporter (the previous day), saying, 'Newstapa is not a media outlet but jjirasi.' He even grabbed the wrist of the reporter holding out the microphone and dragged him around."

Spokesperson Kim said, "The media conducts reporting for the public's right to know," adding, "Especially, the words and actions of members of the National Assembly, who represent the people, are always subject to reporting. If they dislike it, they should not be politicians or hold major party positions. If they judged the reporting method to be somewhat uncomfortable, they could have explained the situation and arranged a reporting appointment."

He continued, "However, Kwon Seong-dong's way of handling the situation was like that of Yoon Seok-yeol, the ringleader of rebellion. Even though it was a place where many people passed by and cameras were filming, he acted violently in an excited state," and claimed, "If it had been a secluded place without cameras, he might have even hit someone."

He also questioned, "Are only media outlets that write favorable articles about the People Power Party and himself considered media, and those that write critical articles considered jjirasi?" and asked, "Is such a subjective and convenient view of the media the party line of the People Power Party?"

He then demanded, "Apologize to Newstapa and the reporter involved. Also apologize to all journalists who witnessed the scene or felt fear and discomfort after watching the violent footage," warning, "If not, Kwon Seong-dong will be called not the floor leader of the People Power Party but gangster Kwon Seong-dong, thug Kwon Seong-dong."

Addressing journalists, he urged, "'Solidarity' is recommended. Please refuse to report until Kwon Seong-dong sincerely apologizes," explaining, "If a gangster is allowed to run amok in the National Assembly, no one knows which journalist might become the next target of assault."