Na Kyungwon Calls Song Miryung by Wrong Name, Says "I Dislike Calling You So Much I Get Confused"

Ruling and Opposition Parties Clash Over Constitutional Respect Task Force
Minister Song Miryung Mistakenly Called Song Hyeryung
Na Kyungwon: "I dislike calling your name so much that I even get it confused"

During a National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee inquiry, Assemblywoman Na Kyungwon of the People Power Party mistakenly called Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Miryung by the wrong name. On November 12, while questioning Minister Song during a full committee meeting, Assemblywoman Na referred to her as "Minister Song Hyeryung, you should reflect on your actions," mispronouncing her name. Minister Song immediately corrected her, saying, "It's Song Miryung." At that moment, Assemblywoman Na responded sharply, "I dislike calling you so much that I even get your name confused."

Na Kyungwon, People Power Party member. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

This incident drew laughter from some lawmakers, while others retorted to Assemblywoman Na's questions by telling her to "study the Constitution." Nevertheless, Assemblywoman Na continued her criticism, stating, "Minister Song Miryung, I dislike calling you so much that I even get your name confused." When she asked, "Have you seen what the Constitutional Respect Task Force is supposed to do?" Minister Song replied, "I haven't seen it yet." Assemblywoman Na then asked, "Have you not seen the Cabinet agenda?" to which Minister Song responded, "I was unable to attend the Cabinet meeting."

Song Miryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Photo by Jo Yongjun

Assemblywoman Na then interrupted Minister Song, saying, "Since I'm asking the questions, please answer after I'm finished," and continued, "Take a look at the investigation subjects and scope of the task force. For ten months-six months before and four months after the martial law-they plan to scrutinize computers, check mobile phones, conduct interviews, and carry out written investigations. How can this be called a Constitutional Respect Task Force?" She added, "They intend to investigate all public officials and reflect the findings in personnel decisions. Rather than smiling while answering, you should reflect on your actions. Consider whether you truly deserve to be in your position."

Not only Assemblywoman Na, but also the People Power Party as a whole, criticized Minister Song over the "Constitutional Respect Government Reform Task Force." Assemblyman Song Seokjun questioned Minister Song, "Did you also create a so-called insurrection task force within the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs? Isn't this an attempt at a political purge?" In response, Minister Song countered, "If you frame it as insurrection, it would have been difficult for me, a former minister from the previous administration, to remain in this government. With transparent organizational management, such as publicizing Cabinet meetings, it is not feasible to operate in an insurrectionary manner."

Meanwhile, at the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, the ruling and opposition parties are clashing over the government's plan to operate a task force investigating whether public officials were involved in illegal activities related to the December 3 Martial Law until February next year. People Power Party lawmakers criticized the Constitutional Respect Task Force for investigating public officials' involvement in the December 3 Martial Law, calling it an attempt to frame them for insurrection. In contrast, Choo Mi-ae, chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, defended the task force, stating, "It has been nearly a year since the insurrection, and not a single person has been punished. We need to create a social atmosphere where many of those who aided Yoon Suk-yeol can come forward and confess."