"Dirty Fingers" vs "Don't Boo" Kim Jin-ae and Kim Tae-heum's 'Physical Contact' Debate

Kim Jin-ae, a member of the Open Democratic Party, is attending a forum held on the 11th of last month at the National Assembly Members' Office Building. The forum, hosted by the Coalition for the Amendment of the Housing Lease Protection Act, the Democratic Party's Euljiro Committee, and members Yoon Ho-jung, Park Hong-geun, Baek Hye-ryun, Park Sang-hyuk, and Shim Sang-jung, aims to discuss the significance and challenges of amending the three lease laws. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] On the 2nd, Kim Tae-heum, a member of the People Power Party (the new name of the United Future Party), and Kim Jin-ae, a member of the Open Democratic Party, engaged in a heated exchange over inappropriate physical contact during the National Assembly Steering Committee meeting, causing the session to be temporarily disrupted.

The incident began when Kim Jin-ae interrupted without permission while Kim Tae-heum was questioning President Moon Jae-in’s Chief of Staff, Noh Young-min.

Kim Tae-heum told her, "Do not interrupt and do not be sarcastic." Then, Kim Tae-heum said, "You are a first-term lawmaker right now..." but when Kim Jin-ae retorted, "I am a second-term," he replied, "I know."

After finishing his questioning, Kim Tae-heum approached Kim Jin-ae’s seat, patted her back with his hand, and protested again.

Kim Jin-ae immediately expressed discomfort, saying, "Why are you touching me?" and requested to raise a point of order.

Kim Jin-ae said, "Kim Tae-heum came to my seat and patted my back while telling me not to interrupt, and I still feel an unpleasant tingling sensation from his unclean fingers touching my body."

She continued, "Where else would someone touch another lawmaker? He should apologize not only to me but to all members. It is unpleasant and tingling that his unclean fingers touched my body. When it comes to sexual crimes or sexual violence, how the victim feels is much more important. I felt insulted, and I am certain that if I were not a woman, he would never have behaved like that," raising her voice.

Kim Tae-heum, a member of the People Power Party, is making a procedural statement at the Planning and Finance Committee plenary meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 13th of last month. Photo by Yonhap News

In response, Kim Tae-heum said, "During the seven-minute Q&A session, disputes can arise, but you should speak after obtaining the floor. Kim Jin-ae interrupted two or three times and jeered; do you think that is appropriate?"

He added, "I couldn’t speak loudly, so I lightly touched her shoulder so she could notice my presence. Is it really 'tingling' to that extent?"

Regarding this, Kim Hoe-jae of the Democratic Party of Korea pointed out, "It seems Kim Tae-heum was trying to protest Kim Jin-ae’s interruptions, but all the more reason to refrain from physical contact. Whether this is an insult, assault, or sexual harassment should be judged from the other party’s perspective."

Park Dae-chul of the People Power Party said, "We must fully respect the questioning time of fellow lawmakers," and expressed regret over the childish quarrel.

Jeong Jeom-sik, also from the same party, said, "Kim Hoe-jae evaluated Kim Tae-heum’s actions as an insult, but I cannot agree with judging the hand gesture used to call Kim Jin-ae as an insult under criminal law. Insults are done intentionally; how is a hand gesture to call Kim Jin-ae a degrading, contemptuous, or aggressive act?" he criticized.

As the verbal dispute between ruling and opposition lawmakers continued, Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea and chair of the Steering Committee, temporarily adjourned the meeting and requested consultations between the party secretaries.

About 20 minutes later, when the meeting resumed, Kim Tae-heum said, "If I caused discomfort, I apologize," but added, "However, if interruptions and jeers occur during questioning, it is impossible to conduct proper questioning." Kim Jin-ae accepted this, saying, "Thank you for your apology."

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