'Pat Collision Detention' Aide to Representative Chae I-bae: "The Korean Party Locked the Door and Blocked with a Sofa"

Court Hearing at Southern District Court on the Morning of the 16th
"Struggle Occurred When Attempting Escape"
Defense Argues 'Persuasion' Not 'Confinement'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Regarding the confinement incident of former Bareunmirae Party lawmaker Chae E-bae during the 'National Assembly Fast-Track Clash,' testimonies have emerged stating that Liberty Korea Party (now People Power Party) lawmakers locked the door and engaged in physical altercations to block access.

At the trial held on the 16th under the jurisdiction of the Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Division 11 (Presiding Judge Lee Hwan-seung), former aide Song Mo, who appeared as a witness, testified about the situation that occurred on April 25, 2019, in former lawmaker Chae’s office.

Song stated, "At that time, five Liberty Korea Party lawmakers, including Lee Man-hee, came to former lawmaker Chae’s office in the morning and physically blocked the door, preventing him from leaving."

On that day, around 9 a.m., former lawmaker Chae had been replaced as a member of the Bareunmirae Party’s Special Committee on Judicial Reform (Saege Special Committee). He was supposed to attend the Saege Special Committee bill meeting scheduled for 1 p.m., but his attendance was delayed due to obstruction by Liberty Korea Party lawmakers.

Song said, "After lunch, former lawmaker Chae attempted to escape, and during this process, there was a physical struggle with Liberty Korea Party lawmakers and party officials," adding, "Ultimately, former lawmaker Chae could not leave, and the atmosphere became hostile from that point."

He explained, "Liberty Korea Party lawmakers locked the office door or blocked the entrance by sitting on the sofa in front of the door to prevent access," and "former lawmaker Chae was determined to leave and even threatened to call the police and fire department to break down the door."

Song also claimed, "Before the situation ended, former lawmaker Yeo Sang-gyu said, 'We need to show him being dragged out by force. That is also Na Kyung-won’s idea.'"

Former floor leader Na Kyung-won and others were indicted for confining former lawmaker Chae, who had been replaced as a member of the Saege Special Committee to block the fast-track designation of the election reform bill by the four ruling and opposition parties during the 'Fast-Track Clash' incident last year.

The defendants argued that the situation was a process of 'persuasion,' not 'confinement.'

The defense attorney for the defendants rebutted, "Inside the office at that time, former lawmaker Min Kyung-wook brought a magic bag and performed magic tricks, and everyone ate sandwiches together, so the atmosphere was not bad," adding, "The aides of former lawmaker Chae were not prevented from entering or leaving."

He continued, "Even looking at photos from the scene, there is no clear evidence of locked doors or physical altercations," emphasizing, "The claim that former lawmaker Na gave instructions to lawmakers present at the scene is merely speculative."

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