Legislation and Judiciary Committee Rejects Na Kyung-won’s Appointment as Floor Leader: "Prosecution for Fast-Track, Support for Insurrection" vs "Election Is Customary"

The Opposition Boycotts the Vote in Protest of the Secret Ballot

At the plenary meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly on the 16th, a proposal to appoint Na Kyungwon, a member of the People Power Party, as the opposition party secretary was put forward but was rejected due to opposition from the ruling coalition.

Choo Mi-ae, the committee chairperson from the Democratic Party, tabled the secretary appointment proposal at the plenary meeting and called for a secret ballot. Members of the People Power Party protested Choo’s decision and did not participate in the vote. As a result, all 10 votes cast were against the proposal, and it was rejected.

At the plenary meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly on the 16th, Choo Mi-ae, the chairperson of the committee, declared a secret ballot on the vote for the appointment of Na Kyung-won, a member of the People Power Party, as the floor leader. Members of the People Power Party protested this decision and walked out. 2025.9.16 Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Prior to the vote, both sides clashed directly over the proposal to appoint Na as secretary. Choi Hyukjin, an independent lawmaker, strongly criticized the nomination by pointing out that Na had been sentenced to two years in prison the previous day at the final trial for the 'National Assembly Fast-Track Clash' incident, saying, "How can someone like this be recommended as secretary of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee?"

Choi added, "The People Power Party, showing no remorse, is nominating someone suspected of abetting or supporting insurrection as secretary, which is why the public is opposed. I feel a great sense of insult and humiliation that such a proposal has even been brought forward."

Park Kyuntaek, a Democratic Party lawmaker, also cited the 'Fast-Track Clash' and Na’s remarks as a first-term lawmaker, stating, "I have compiled more than ten reasons why I have no choice but to oppose Na’s appointment as secretary." Jang Kyungtae, another Democratic Party member, said, "It is absurd for a sitting lawmaker, who has records of defending insurrection, multiple prison visit records with the leader of the insurrection, and even phone records with former President Yoon Suk-yeol on the night of the insurrection, and who is effectively under investigation, to be appointed as secretary of the committee."

The conflict escalated into a heated exchange between Park Ji-won of the Democratic Party and Kwak Gyutaek of the People Power Party. When Park questioned, "Her husband is the chief judge; is it appropriate for his wife to serve as committee secretary? She is bringing disrepute even to her husband," Kwak retorted, "What is your wife doing now, Assemblyman Park?" When Park replied, "She has passed away," ruling party lawmakers demanded an apology, saying, "That was extremely rude. Show some humanity."

Na Kyungwon stated, "I am deeply disheartened that all sorts of falsehoods are being spread under parliamentary immunity and that the assembly is being run in this manner," emphasizing, "The appointment of a secretary is to be made by election. If a negotiation group nominates someone to represent them in talks with the other party, that person is simply appointed."

Joo Jinwoo, a member of the People Power Party, pointed out, "Someone who defended President Lee Jaemyung in court has been serving openly on the committee for over a year. The Democratic Party’s double standards are extreme." He added, "If being sentenced is a reason to disqualify someone from being secretary, then how can President Lee, who received a Supreme Court remand for conviction, run the country? It makes no sense."

After Na’s appointment was rejected through a secret ballot, the People Power Party members of the committee held a press conference, strongly protesting, "The Democratic Party has written another chapter in the history of parliamentary dictatorship." Na criticized, "According to the National Assembly Act, each negotiation group is to have a secretary, and once recommended, it is a mere formality for the appointment to be confirmed. Yet the Democratic Party forced a secret ballot and rejected even the People Power Party’s secretary."

She continued, "The Democratic Party will likely claim that, based on the principle of 'no reconsideration,' the secretary appointment proposal cannot be tabled again, but that is absurd. The appointment of a secretary is not subject to the principle of 'no reconsideration' under the National Assembly Act."

Song Seokjun, a member of the People Power Party, added, "Park Beomgye of the Democratic Party served as both Minister of Justice and secretary under the same circumstances. Why is Na Kyungwon not allowed? There is no greater example of double standards."