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First-term lawmakers of the United Future Party, including Assemblywoman Han Mu-kyung, are holding a silent protest against all discrimination on the 10th at the National Assembly Rotunda. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hye-min] First-term lawmakers of the United Future Party participated in the "8 minutes 46 seconds silent protest" on the 10th to mourn the death of African American George Floyd in the United States.

First-term lawmakers of the United Future Party, including Representative Han Mu-kyung, knelt on one knee in the Rotunda Hall of the National Assembly main building that morning and held a silent protest for 8 minutes and 46 seconds to signify "opposition to all discrimination." Representatives Kim Ye-ji, Kim Yong-pan, Yoon Joo-kyung, Lee Young, Lee Jong-sung, Jeon Ju-hye, Jo Tae-yong, and Heo Eun-ah also participated.

The 8 minutes and 46 seconds represent the time George Floyd, a Black man who died due to excessive force by U.S. police, was pinned down by a white police officer's knee. The act of kneeling on one knee was first started in August 2016 by Colin Kaepernick, quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers in the National Football League (NFL), as a protest against the deaths of Black people caused by police shootings in the U.S., and it is now regarded as a symbol of protest against racial discrimination.

Earlier, on the 8th (local time), Democratic Party leaders and lawmakers, the opposition party in the U.S. Congress, held a similar protest. This is the first time first-term lawmakers of the United Future Party have participated in such a protest in the domestic political arena.

In a statement, Representative Han and others said, "We oppose any form of discrimination to protect human dignity as stipulated in the Constitution and the right to pursue happiness," adding, "We deeply take to heart the warning from George Floyd and oppose not only racial discrimination but also gender discrimination, discrimination against people with disabilities, religious discrimination, regional discrimination, and all other forms of discrimination."

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