[2020 National Audit] 'Member of Parliament' Without Mask and 'Minister' Wearing Mask

Controversy Over Mask Wearing at the National Assembly Science and ICT Committee Audit

On the 7th, at the National Assembly Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee's audit session, Park Sung-joong, a member of the People Power Party, and Choi Ki-young, Minister of Science and ICT, are seen asking questions without masks.

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Junho] On the afternoon of the 7th, a controversy arose regarding mask-wearing during the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee’s audit. The dispute was between lawmakers who complained about the discomfort of having to wear masks for long periods while questioning and answering, and those who opposed removing them.

On the 7th, during the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee audit, Park Seong-jung, a member of the People Power Party, asked Lee Won-wook, chairman of the committee (Democratic Party), "It’s uncomfortable to question. Since the distance from the respondent is far, may I take off my mask while questioning?" Transparent partitions were installed at each lawmaker’s seat in the audit hall that day.

In response, Chairman Lee said, "If it’s very uncomfortable, shall we do it however you feel comfortable?" Park then took off his mask and began questioning. However, he did not ask Minister Choi Ki-young of the Ministry of Science and ICT, who was the subject of the questioning, and Minister Choi answered while wearing a mask.

After Park’s questioning ended, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Sang-hee began to speak. She pointed out the necessity of wearing masks.

She said, "In fact, when you lower your mask to speak, you release more droplets," and added, "Given how serious the situation is, I believe it is right to wear masks without fail." Park appeared to respond with a rebuttal, but since he had no speaking rights, it was not captured by the online broadcast system.

Lawmaker Kim said, "From that perspective, I think we should cooperate with quarantine measures to the maximum extent possible," and added, "How hard it must be for the government side to answer all day today," before starting her questioning.

On the 7th, at the National Assembly Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee's audit session, Kim Sang-hee, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, wearing a mask, is questioning Choi Ki-young, Minister of Science and ICT.

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