People Power Party Walks Out Over Land Minister's Absence... Opposition's Aviation Security Act Voted Down During Walkout

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Absent During Committee Bill Review
People Power Party Protests, Saying "This Is Already the Second Time," and Walks Out as a Group
Opposition-Sponsored Bill Voted Down While People Power Party Lawmakers Were Absent

On November 13, members of the People Power Party collectively walked out of the National Assembly plenary chamber in protest of the absence of Kim Yoonduk, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, who is a member of the Democratic Party of Korea. After the bills under the jurisdiction of the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee were processed, the People Power Party lawmakers returned to the chamber.

During their absence, the Partial Amendment to the Aviation Security Act, which was sponsored by a People Power Party lawmaker, was voted down.

On the 13th, ahead of the passage of bills under the jurisdiction of the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee at the National Assembly plenary session, members of the People Power Party protested Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoonduk's absence from the meeting and walked out, while the Partial Amendment to the Act on the Development of the Living Logistics Service Industry was passed. Yonhap News

During the plenary session, Speaker Woo Wonsik announced before the handling of bills under the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, "Minister Kim Yoonduk has informed us that he is unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts."

Speaker Woo added, "He acknowledged his oversight in not coordinating his prior commitments, even though, as a cabinet member, he should have prioritized the plenary session. I also strongly pointed this out and expressed my regret."

The People Power Party lawmakers strongly objected. Yoo Sangbeom, Senior Deputy Floor Leader, and Kim Eunhye, Senior Deputy Policy Floor Leader, insisted to Speaker Woo that there had been no consultation with the opposition party and demanded that the related bills be handled at the plenary session scheduled for the 27th.

Although Speaker Woo tried to persuade them by stating, "I made it very clear to Minister Kim that such absences cannot happen again," Yoo continued to protest, saying, "This is already the second time." Democratic Party lawmakers shouted at the People Power Party lawmakers to stop, leading to commotion in the chamber.

When Speaker Woo proceeded with the legislative process despite protests from opposition lawmakers, the People Power Party members left the chamber as a group. Speaker Woo commented, "This is the first time that all lawmakers have left the chamber over such an issue. It is regrettable, but I will continue with the session."

Song Eonseok, the People Power Party's Floor Leader, told reporters outside the chamber, "I cannot understand what could possibly be more important for a cabinet member than attending the plenary session to pass bills. The government insisted that these livelihood bills were urgent and demanded their passage, yet the minister does not even show up, claiming to be busy. This is unacceptable."

On the 13th, ahead of the National Assembly plenary session's handling of bills under the jurisdiction of the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, Yoo Sangbeom, the Senior Deputy Floor Leader of the People Power Party, protested to National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonsik over the absence of Kim Yoonduk, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

While the People Power Party lawmakers were absent, the Partial Amendment to the Aviation Security Act, sponsored by Kim Eunhye and Bae Junyoung of the People Power Party, was voted down. Out of 155 lawmakers present, 75 voted in favor, 45 against, and 35 abstained.

This bill proposed raising the penalty for violations of mandatory aircraft security checks from a fine to a criminal punishment. Lee Yeonhee, a Democratic Party lawmaker, said during the bill's introduction and review report, "It is difficult to understand the behavior of People Power Party lawmakers walking out during the vote on a bill they themselves sponsored."

Yoo Sangbeom, Senior Deputy Floor Leader, told reporters, "It is extremely petty and emotional to vote down a bill that was passed by bipartisan agreement simply out of spite."

The People Power Party lawmakers returned to the chamber after the bills under the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee were processed. Song Eonseok, the Floor Leader, stated, "When our party's lawmakers were leaving the chamber, some hardline Democratic Party members hurled unspeakable insults at them. If they do not apologize, we will file a complaint with the Ethics Committee."