PPP Submits Disciplinary Motion Against Chu Mi Ae... "Obstructed Na Kyungwon's Appointment as Secretary"

"Chairwoman Chu's Unilateral Management of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee"
"The Committee Has Degenerated Into a Lawless Body"

On September 5, the People Power Party submitted a disciplinary motion against Chu Mi Ae, Chairwoman of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee and a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, citing reasons such as obstructing the appointment of committee secretaries and unilaterally managing the committee.

Choi Eunseok, the People Power Party's Chief Spokesperson for Parliamentary Affairs, visited the National Assembly Secretariat that day to submit the disciplinary motion. Speaking to reporters afterward, he stated, "Since taking office, Chairwoman Chu has obstructed and ignored the opposition party's proceedings and has conducted business unilaterally. The Legislation and Judiciary Committee has degenerated into a committee monopolized by Chairwoman Chu and the Democratic Party."

People Power Party lawmakers Seungwhan Cho (from left), Myungok Seo, and Eunsuk Choi are submitting a disciplinary proposal against Chairwoman Mi Ae Chu of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly Secretariat in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 5th. Photo by Yonhap News

Choi further explained, "We have determined that the unilateral approval of subcommittee members and the obstruction of appointing a committee secretary are clear violations of the National Assembly Act, and we have decided to refer Chairwoman Chu to the Ethics Committee."

Yoo Sangbeom, the People Power Party's Deputy Chief Spokesperson for Parliamentary Affairs, also criticized Chairwoman Chu at a party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the same day. He said, "Chairwoman Chu refused to allow People Power Party lawmakers to speak during proceedings and failed to put up for discussion the agenda item regarding the appointment of Assemblywoman Na Kyungwon as committee secretary. These actions have undermined and obstructed the legitimate exercise of opposition rights guaranteed by the National Assembly Act. This is a clear abuse of authority and amounts to running the committee like a criminal organization."

He continued, "President Lee Jaemyung speaks of unity and cooperation, but Chairwoman Chu is disregarding the National Assembly Act with an arrogant attitude. Chairwoman Chu's unilateralism and reckless actions, which surpass even those of Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheongrae, are turning the Legislation and Judiciary Committee into a lawless body."

Previously, at the full committee meeting on September 2, the ruling and opposition parties clashed over the agenda to appoint Assemblywoman Na Kyungwon as the opposition secretary of the committee. During the meeting, Assemblywoman Na told Assemblywoman Park Eunjung of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, who was protesting, "Freshmen should stay quiet." The Democratic Party and others took issue with this remark and have submitted a disciplinary motion against Assemblywoman Na to the National Assembly.