"First-term Lawmakers Should Just Sit Quietly... You Don't Know Anything": Democratic Party Outraged by Na Kyungwon's Remarks

Clash Over Terminology in Prosecution Reform Plan Adoption
"First-term Lawmakers, Sit Quietly" vs. "Apologize"
Legislation and Judiciary Committee Descends Into Chaos

On September 2, at the plenary meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly, Na Kyungwon of the People Power Party and others protested against Chairwoman Chu Mi-ae's way of conducting the meeting and argued with members of the Democratic Party of Korea. 2025.9.2 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

"First-term lawmakers should just sit quietly! You don't know anything, so just sit down!"

Na Kyungwon of the People Power Party, who was appointed as the opposition secretary of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, sparked backlash from the ruling party after telling Lee Seungyoon, a first-term lawmaker from the Democratic Party who was protesting against her at the committee, "First-term lawmakers should just sit quietly."

On September 2, during the plenary session of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Chairwoman Chu Mi-ae attempted to put the adoption of the "Prosecutorial Reform Public Hearing Plan" to a vote, prompting strong opposition from Na Kyungwon and other opposition members. Na Kyungwon argued, "We should use a value-neutral term like 'public hearing on prosecution-related matters.' The People Power Party calls it the 'Prosecution Control Act' or the 'Prosecution Dismantlement Act.' We do not call it the Prosecutorial Reform Act."

In response, Chairwoman Chu Mi-ae rebuked her, saying, "It seems that since Assemblywoman Na has been assigned here, she treats this place as a battlefield, but this is a place to discuss legislation." Nevertheless, when Kwak Gyutaek of the People Power Party and others approached the chair's seat to protest, Lee Seungyoon stood up and said, "Please return to your seat."

Upon hearing this, Na Kyungwon replied informally, "First-term lawmakers should just sit quietly. You don't know anything, so just sit down." Lee Seungyoon retorted, "What are you doing right now?" and Seo Youngkyo of the Democratic Party also protested, saying, "How can you say that?" causing the meeting to descend into chaos.

On the 2nd, at the plenary meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Na Kyungwon of the People Power Party is telling Lee Seungyoon of the Democratic Party, who is a first-term lawmaker, "First-term lawmakers should just sit quietly." Photo by JTBC

Jang Kyungtae of the Democratic Party criticized Na Kyungwon's remarks about first-term lawmakers as "outrageous." Jang Kyungtae said, "How can Assemblywoman Na, who is comparable to an instigator of rebellion, serve as the committee secretary? I oppose her appointment as secretary itself," adding, "She should apologize for her outrageous remark about first-term lawmakers, and if she wants to serve as secretary, she should turn herself in for rebellion charges and fully disclose how she conspired to commit rebellion."

Kim Gipyo of the Democratic Party commented, "Perhaps she says such things because she is a five-term lawmaker," and added, "Her deep-seated authoritarianism is evident in such remarks." Kim Gipyo continued, "If someone tells a fellow lawmaker to be quiet just because they are a first-term member, I shudder to think how she must regard ordinary citizens."

Park Eunjeong of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party said, "Her authoritarian mindset and worldview, telling first-term lawmakers to be quiet during a meeting, are simply astonishing," and added, "It was another moment of witnessing the outrageous remarks and arrogance of a certain lawmaker who took the lead in staging the last 'Animal National Assembly' at the very center of public opinion. Shouldn't an apology and reflection toward the people come before serving as committee secretary?"

Meanwhile, from the outset, a major commotion erupted over Na Kyungwon's appointment as committee secretary. The People Power Party insisted that the motion to replace the committee secretary with Na Kyungwon be placed on the agenda, but the Democratic Party opposed her appointment, denouncing her as an "instigator of rebellion." In response, People Power Party members of the committee approached Chairwoman Chu's seat to protest, and Democratic Party members also stood up and shouted in an attempt to block them, turning the meeting room into chaos. Ultimately, as the motion to appoint Na Kyungwon as secretary was not included on the agenda, her appointment as opposition secretary of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee was nullified.