Ruling Bloc Submits Disciplinary Motion Against Na Kyung-won
"Na Kyung-won Prevention Act" Proposed to Curb Abusive Remarks
"Why are you making off-topic remarks despite being a five-term lawmaker?" (Choo Mi-ae, Chair of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee)
"Why are students from Class 2 interfering when we are electing the Class 1 representative?" (Na Kyung-won, member of the People Power Party)
The ruling and opposition parties clashed once again over the appointment of a secretary from the People Power Party during the full session of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee.
On the 4th, at the Public Hearing on Prosecutorial Reform held by the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Na Kyungwon of the People Power Party and others are arguing with ruling party members regarding the conduct of the meeting. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
According to political sources on September 4, members of the People Power Party on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee demanded that Chair Choo Mi-ae put the secretary appointment on the agenda first during the committee's full session held that day. Chair Choo insisted on starting with the public hearing.
When the People Power Party repeatedly requested that Na Kyung-won be appointed as secretary, Chair Choo responded, "Assemblywoman Na's remarks telling first-term lawmakers to 'just sit quietly, you don't know anything' have damaged the dignity of the National Assembly and the honor of her colleagues," adding, "Assemblywoman Na should apologize for this first."
Subsequently, Na Kyung-won left the committee due to the People Power Party's response to a special prosecutor's search and seizure, prompting criticism from the Democratic Party that "running away has become a habit." Chair Choo remarked, "What are we to do if the secretary leaves the meeting room?" As a result, the secretary appointment was not completed.
When Na Kyung-won returned to the meeting room and brought up the secretary appointment issue again during the 'Prosecution Reform Public Hearing' questioning, she criticized, "Watching the chair operate the committee in disregard of the National Assembly Act and its spirit, I thought this was 'parliamentary dictatorship.'" In response, Chair Choo pointed out, "Off-topic remarks should be made during the personal statement time. Are you unable to distinguish between a personal statement and the subject of the public hearing, even after serving five terms?" Na Kyung-won protested, "What do you mean by 'even after five terms'? Please withdraw that remark."
The so-called 'Choo-Na Clash' that erupted that day also involved other lawmakers from both parties. Lawmakers from the Democratic Party and the Rebuilding Korea Party continued to demand an apology from Na Kyung-won for her remarks about first-term lawmakers. Lawmakers from the Democratic Party and the Rebuilding Korea Party attended the meeting with notes on their laptops reading, "Insulting first-term lawmakers is an act of rebellion, unfit for the Legislation and Judiciary Committee," while People Power Party lawmakers displayed notes saying, "Stripping the opposition secretary, stripping speaking rights."
Previously, on September 2, Na Kyung-won sparked controversy during the committee's full session by telling first-term lawmakers, "First-term lawmakers should stay quiet. You don't know anything."
The Democratic Party, the Rebuilding Korea Party, and the Progressive Party submitted a disciplinary request to the National Assembly on the grounds that Na Kyung-won's remarks about first-term lawmakers violated the duty to maintain dignity. On the same day, independent lawmaker Choi Hyukjin sponsored the so-called "Na Kyung-won Prevention Act" (a partial amendment to the National Assembly Act), which would impose fines for abusive language, profanity, intentional shouting, or occupying the meeting room during National Assembly sessions.
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