"Opposing Prosecution Reform?" After the Public Corruption Investigation Office Vote Fallout... What Do You Think About the 'Text Bombardment'?

Lawmakers Abstaining or Voting Against the Corruption Investigation Office Bill Face 'Text Bombing'
Active Opinion Expression in Democratic Society...Debate Over Disruption of Legislative Activities
Experts Say "Excessive Expression of Opinions...An Obstacle to National Governance"

Reference photo. The photo is not related to any specific expression in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] The aftermath of the vote for and against the establishment of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HCIO) is intensifying. Geum Tae-seop, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, abstained from voting but has been receiving fierce protests via text messages and Facebook (SNS) from 'Chinmun' (pro-Moon Jae-in supporters).

Additionally, Kim Dong-chul, a member of the Bareunmirae Party, also lamented that he has been bombarded with calls and texts from the 'Chinmun faction.' As a result, there are criticisms that zealous supporters are effectively obstructing legitimate legislative activities. A political analyst pointed out that excessive expression of opinions by some can lead to interference with legislative work.

On the 30th of last month, the '4+1' coalition (Democratic Party, Bareunmirae Party, Justice Party, Party for Democracy and Peace, and Alternative Party) passed the amended HCIO establishment bill with 160 votes in favor, 14 against, and 3 abstentions out of 177 members present.

On that day, Representative Geum abstained from voting. His actions regarding the HCIO establishment bill sparked controversy even within the party.

Senior spokesperson Hong Ik-pyo expressed strong regret to reporters after the plenary session, saying, "It is regrettable that an abstention vote came out despite it being the party line." Regarding the abstention controversy, he said, "The party leadership will review and make a decision on this matter."

On the afternoon of the 30th, Geum Tae-seop, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is questioning nominee Chu Mi-ae, Minister of Justice candidate, at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee hearing held at the National Assembly.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Democratic Party supporters, especially the 'Chinmun faction,' visited Geum's Facebook account to protest vehemently. Supporters said, "We do not need lawmakers who do not follow the party line," effectively calling for his expulsion. Other supporters cited his background, saying, "As a former prosecutor, he is biased inwardly. This is why prosecutorial reform is even more urgent," raising their voices.

The day after the vote, on the 31st of last month, over 300 posts criticizing Geum's abstention as a 'betrayal' were uploaded on the Democratic Party's rights members' bulletin board.

Some party members wrote, "Leave for a party that matches your ideology. Stop muddying the waters. The Democratic Party should never nominate such gray characters. This will backfire," and "How can someone who must stand with the prosecution until the end be a representative of the people and a member of the party?"

Kim Dong-chul, Bareunmirae Party member. [Yonhap News]

Representative Kim Dong-chul is also suffering from a 'text message bombardment.' In a text message sent to acquaintances on the 29th of last month, Kim lamented, "From yesterday until now, I have been in a situation where I cannot receive or send any calls or texts," adding, "I am receiving a phone and text message bombardment from 'Chinmun Red Guards' because I oppose the Democratic Party's HCIO bill."

He continued, "This behavior of bombarding me with calls and texts is a dichotomy of good and evil, dividing people into my side as absolute good and the other side as absolute evil, which is nothing but 'my side good, your side evil,'" and strongly criticized, "In 21st century Korea, people who call themselves 'progressives' are committing the atrocity of trying to subdue others with phone and text message bombardments."

He also pointed out, "President Moon Jae-in said during his presidential campaign that text message bombardments are 'like seasoning that makes competition interesting,'" and added, "Isn't that why the Chinmun Red Guards send phone and text message bombardments shamelessly without any guilt?"

Reference photo. The photo is not related to any specific expression in the article.

This is not the first time that lawmakers have received text messages expressing opinions about their legislative activities. The problem lies in the excessive expression of opinions without regard to criticism or blame.

In June 2017, Joo Kwang-deok, a member of the Liberty Korea Party, who disclosed the verdict of then Justice Minister nominee Ahn Kyung-hwan, held a press conference lamenting that he received 100 times more critical text messages than usual.

Representative Joo said, "Requesting the verdict related to nominee Ahn was part of legitimate legislative activities, and the verdict was submitted following proper procedures," and urged, "Some supporters of President Moon Jae-in should immediately stop their malicious political attacks."

Lawmakers' views on 'text message bombardments' differ. In June 2017, Lee Eon-ju, then a member of the People's Party, appeared on a radio program and said, "If there is freedom, there must also be limits to that freedom," and pointed out, "Organizing to send text message bombardments to harass and pressure is a serious problem."

On the other hand, Son Hye-won, then a Democratic Party member and independent lawmaker, strongly rebutted on the same broadcast, saying, "Labeling all texts criticizing politicians as bombardments and exposing them as wrong is not something a politician should do."

Citizens' opinions on this matter also vary. Mr. A, a worker in his early 40s who enjoys watching political current affairs programs, emphasized, "Before being a supporter, I am a voter who can cast a ballot. It is not a problem at all for voters to actively express their opinions on lawmakers' legislative activities." He added, "This year is ahead of the general election, and I intend to actively raise issues about empty promises made with votes in mind."

On the other hand, Mr. B, a worker in his mid-30s, pointed out, "Isn't this practically spam messaging? Sending indiscriminate text messages just because they don't like someone seems excessive." He criticized, "Some even do this in an organized manner. It is clearly an obstruction of legislative activities."

Experts analyzed that excessive expression of opinions can interfere with national governance. Kim Man-heum, director of the Korea Political Academy, said, "It is natural and necessary for citizens to convey their opinions. It can be seen as public opinion," but added, "Recently, especially through SNS like Twitter and Facebook, there are cases of excessively concentrated attacks on differing opinions, and some are even organized. This can rather hinder democratic governance that gathers diverse opinions."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.