Na Kyungwon Says "You Called Us 'Dongjak Siblings' but Only Made Us Suffer"... Kim Byungki Apologizes

"It's really tough... Who called this a vacation?"
"No air conditioning on weekends..."
Kim: "I'll make sure it's turned on"

Byungki Kim, Acting President and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited Na Kyungwon, member of the People Power Party, who has been staging a sit-in protest with overnight stays at the National Assembly Rotunda Hall on July 1. Na has been protesting at the main building of the National Assembly, demanding the withdrawal of the nomination of Kim Minseok as Prime Minister, among other issues.

Both politicians represent constituencies in Dongjak-gap and Dongjak-eul, Seoul, respectively. They engaged in a candid yet sharp conversation about current contentious issues between the ruling and opposition parties, including the confirmation of the Prime Minister nominee and the return of the chairmanship of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee to the opposition.

Na Kyungwon, member of the People Power Party.

Floor Leader Kim, accompanied by Chief of Staff Kiheon Lee and Deputy Floor Leader for Livelihood Namgeun Kim, visited the protest site, greeted Na with a handshake, and said, "I couldn't not come."

Na said, "Withdraw (the nomination of Kim) quickly and give us the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee." Yoo Sangbum, the People Power Party's Chief Deputy Floor Leader, who was standing nearby, added, "If you do that, we will cooperate 100 percent."

However, Floor Leader Kim replied, "Please work well with the new leadership," and added, "Take care of your health."

Byungki Kim, Acting President and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.

Na expressed frustration that some in the Democratic Party have mocked her protest as "well-being" and said, "It's actually really hard just sitting here. Who called this a vacation?" She continued, "National Assembly Speaker Woonsik Woo doesn't even turn on the air conditioner on Saturdays and Sundays," to which Kim responded, "I'll make sure it's turned on for you."

When Na asked about the confirmation of nominee Kim, "Will the plenary session be held after this Saturday and Sunday?" Floor Leader Kim avoided giving a direct answer. The Democratic Party plans to process the confirmation of nominee Kim at the plenary session on July 3. When Na pressed, "You always called us the 'Dongjak siblings,' but now you're making us suffer and taking all the standing committee positions," Floor Leader Kim bowed his head and said, "I am truly sorry."