[2020 National Audit] Park Dae-chul's "Naver Parliament Manipulation" Sparks Ruling Party's "Apologize" Demand... Science and ICT Committee Temporarily Disrupted (Comprehensive)

Rep. Park Dae-chul "Collusion Between Power and Portals... Intent of Commissioned Legislation"
Ruling Party Lawmakers Continue "Defamatory Remarks" After Resumption of National Audit

Yoon Young-chan, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jin-gyu Lee] On the 7th, during the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee’s audit, a heated debate broke out between ruling and opposition party lawmakers over a research forum related to Naver, causing a temporary disruption.

The 'Digital Economy Research Forum (tentative name)' plans to conduct policy research to revitalize the digital economy during the 21st National Assembly. The idea for the forum came from the Policy Department of the Korea Internet Corporations Association (KICA), chaired by Han Seong-sook, CEO of Naver. Yoon Young-chan, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed his willingness to participate, and lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties agreed to join.

Park Dae-chul, a member of the People Power Party, criticized this at the audit, calling it "a collusion between power and portals," and said, "The chairperson of KICA is Han Seong-sook, CEO of Naver, and she is actually controlling it." Park claimed, "KICA had already set up plans for appointing representatives and operations before the forum’s launch," presenting documents prepared by the association as evidence.

Park further argued, "A research group of lawmakers was promoted by KICA, an organization under the Ministry of Science and ICT," and said, "This can be seen as an intention to carry out commissioned legislation, and lawmakers are participating at the request of fellow lawmakers without even knowing that Naver is leading it."

He also emphasized, "In this situation, the adoption of Lee Hae-jin, Naver’s Global Investment Officer (GIO), as a witness for the audit is not happening," adding, "Requests to summon the heads of Naver and Kakao as witnesses were rejected, but this GIO must be made to attend to examine Naver’s manipulation of the National Assembly."

In response, Yoon, a former Naver vice president and co-chair of the forum, said, "There are countless research groups created by the National Assembly in collaboration with external associations," and criticized, "Park’s remarks disparaged all these research groups and he should apologize."

Yoon also raised his voice, saying, "Is it reasonable to say that private companies manipulated ruling and opposition lawmakers to create a forum and take over the National Assembly? Are lawmakers puppets?" He added, "I cannot help but lament that he disparaged not only ruling party members but also opposition colleagues."

Cho Seung-rae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, also agreed, saying, "There are countless research groups formed by lawmakers and external associations," and added, "It is very inappropriate to belittle fellow lawmakers."

As the verbal dispute between ruling and opposition lawmakers continued, Lee Won-wook, chair of the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee, eventually declared a suspension of the audit. This was to review Park’s remarks through the audit broadcast VOD and decide on whether an apology was necessary through consultation between the ruling and opposition party secretaries.

After the audit resumed, ruling party lawmakers formally urged Park to apologize. Cho said, "This is beyond a personal attack on an individual lawmaker; an apology should be made to all lawmakers participating in the research group," and demanded "a sincere apology."

Woo Sang-ho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, also pointed out, "Park’s remarks damaged the honor of fellow lawmakers," and said, "In this situation, the forum’s normal activities may become difficult, so Park should formally apologize."

In response, Park said, "I had no intention to disparage the research groups that fellow lawmakers are involved in," and added, "I only explained the purpose of the consultation documents to prevent any misunderstanding by fellow lawmakers."

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