The People Power Party strongly objected on the 13th following Kim Yun-duk, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, missing the ...
The People Power Party strongly objected on the 13th following Kim Yun-duk, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, missing the National Assembly plenary session without the opposition's approval, leading to a group exit. The party described the incident as "a crisis caused by a State Council member's neglect of the National Assembly" and called for an apology from Minister Kim along with steps to avoid such occurrences again. It alleged that National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik unilaterally allowed the minister's absence without discussing with the floor leaders of both parties.
During the afternoon plenary session, Speaker Woo revealed that Minister Kim, a State Council member responsible for the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, would not be present. The first item on the agenda, the 'Revision of the Living Logistics Service Industry Development Act,' was set for discussion. Woo mentioned, "Minister Kim informed me that he couldn't attend because of previous engagements. As a member of the State Council, he should have made the plenary session a priority, but he didn't manage his prior commitments. I strongly stressed that the plenary session must take precedence and conveyed my deep disappointment." It is reported that Minister Kim provided a policy meeting as the reason for his absence.
As a form of protest, Song Eon-seog, the Floor Leader of the People Power Party, left the session, stating, “I have never witnessed the National Assembly being disrupted by a single minister from the executive branch.” He contended, “A deputy minister could have participated in the policy meeting. Minister Kim, who missed the plenary session to attend the policy meeting, should offer an appropriate apology.”
Song added, "The bill from the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee was up for a vote, but the minister wasn't present. If a member of the State Council can't attend, the Speaker must get approval from the floor leaders to allow their absence or replacement. However, I only found out about the minister's absence when the Speaker brought it up. I don't understand what could be more important than reviewing a bill during a plenary session."
As members of the People Power Party left in large numbers, they met Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho on the stairs of the Rotunda Hall and inquired, "Have you come to resign?"
Song also called for an apology from the Democratic Party of Korea, alleging that some of its legislators hurled insults as members of his party exited. He said, "Some hardline members of the Democratic Party used offensive language. They insulted fellow lawmakers who were protesting the unjust absence of a State Council member, merely because they are from a different party. If they don't apologize, we will take suitable actions, including submitting an ethics committee complaint."
Deputy Chief Floor Leader for Operations Yoo Sang-beom and Deputy Chief Floor Leader for Policy Kim Eun-hye also left the session as a form of protest. When Yoo asked, "This is already the second time. You are aware of that, aren't you?" Speaker Woo replied, "I will make sure there is no third instance. I have made it clear that this cannot occur again. As Speaker, I believe it is essential to maintain the authority of the plenary session. Please understand."
Following the walkout by the People Power Party, the 'Partial Revision of the Aviation Security Act' put forward by the party was turned down. Yoo commented, "It is very shameful to reject a bill that had been approved by all standing committees through bipartisan consensus in a vindictive way."
The People Power Party resumed the session following a 40-minute meeting to address legislation under the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The meeting reportedly centered on criticizing the ruling party and government for overlooking the opposition.
When Park Soo-young from the People Power Party spoke during a free speech session, many members of the Democratic Party left the room. Later, Floor Leader Song confronted Democratic Party member Boo Seung-chan, asking, "Where are you going when you need to cast a vote?" Boo replied, "You're not even worth a punch."
As conflicts intensified, an unforeseen "greeting issue" emerged. While discussing the Daejang-dong appeal withdrawal, People Power Party representative Kwak Gyu-taek did not bow to Speaker Woo upon approaching the podium.
Speaker Woo said, "You didn't greet me before getting on the stage," looking upset. Kwak started his speech without looking back. However, lawmakers from the Democratic Party interrupted with shouts such as, "Didn't you say hello?" and "Say hello properly," making him stop.
Kwak stated, "The National Assembly Act requires that the relevant State Council member be present when a bill within their area of responsibility is approved. I cannot acknowledge a Speaker who asserts to support the National Assembly's authority while disregarding this regulation." Speaker Woo replied, "Although greeting the Speaker is not legally mandatory, it is considered a gesture of respect towards the National Assembly and the public."
While Kwak was speaking, voices from the People Power Party members supported him, stating, "It's because they disregard the opposition." Members of the Democratic Party shouted, "Resign!"
During the Daejang-dong appeal discussion, the People Power Party directly accused President Lee Jae-myung as the "superior" responsible for supposed external influence. Park Soo-young remarked, "Isn't this due to an expectation of a guilty verdict against President Lee Jae-myung? His name is mentioned more than 400 times in the initial ruling of the Daejang-dong development corruption case." Kwak noted, "Since President Lee Jae-myung himself admitted to planning the Daejang-dong development project, this is a case of politically influenced corruption involving the current president."
The Democratic Party condemned this as "hiding the political prosecution." Lee Geon-tae said, "The Daejang-dong investigation team is being examined for unlawful investigations and is itself under review. Their joint action is simply a diversion to hide false investigations." Kim Gi-pyo remarked, "Rather than offering positive alternatives, the opposition, which has neglected its duties, continues to use outdated cases against President Lee Jae-myung."
As Democratic Party legislators spoke, seats in the People Power Party filled with loud objections, such as, “Lee Jae-myung from Daejang-dong!” Others yelled, “Lee Geon-tae, the lawyer from Daejang-dong!” and “Why target the opposition?”
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