Assemblyman Hong Young-pyo's Controversial Remark: "People Power Party Lawmakers Are Coup Forces"

Defense Minister nominee Seo Wook attended the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 16th and greeted Hong Young-pyo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The confirmation hearing for Defense Minister nominee Seo Wook was delayed by about 40 minutes after Democratic Party lawmaker Hong Young-pyo referred to members of the People Power Party as a 'coup faction.'

At the confirmation hearing for Defense Minister nominee Seo Wook on the 16th, Democratic Party lawmaker Hwang Hee revealed the real name and face photo of the party duty soldier who reported allegations of military favoritism involving Seo Mo, the son of Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae. In response, People Power Party lawmaker Lee Chae-ik demanded an apology. Lee said, "According to legal review, this constitutes defamation under criminal law, and damages can be sufficiently claimed through civil litigation," adding, "We should hear Hwang's position and an apology to the public before proceeding with the hearing."

In response, lawmaker Hong Young-pyo criticized the People Power Party, saying, "In the past, the faction that privatized the military and interfered in politics within the military used to conduct civilian surveillance, covert operations, and even staged coups. Now that such actions are no longer possible, they are conducting covert operations here in the National Assembly."

The opposition party pushed back. People Power Party lawmaker Shin Won-sik asked Hong, "Who are you referring to as the coup faction that entered the National Assembly? What do you mean by saying they conducted covert operations after entering the Assembly?" He pointed out, "We need a clear explanation before proceeding with the hearing." Another lawmaker from the same party, Han Ki-ho, said, "I was a cadet at the Military Academy during the May 16 coup," adding, "If you call us a coup faction, I will not participate in today's hearing."

In response, lawmaker Hong clarified, "I meant that the National Defense Committee should be a bipartisan standing committee," adding, "I said 'coup faction.' I did not specifically point to the two of you as directly participating in a coup." With this clarification, the hearing resumed.

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