"'Jirasi Origin' 'Unbridled Mad Horse'... Ruling and Opposition Parties' Extreme Confrontation Between Choo and Yoon"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] The conflict between Chu and Yoon is escalating into an extreme confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties. During the debate over Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's appearance before the National Assembly, harsh words such as 'Jirasi origin,' 'National Assembly's Chu Mi-ae,' and 'a wild horse with its reins loosened' were exchanged between the parties.

On the 27th, the aftermath of Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Ho-jung's remark calling someone 'Jirasi origin' continued in the National Assembly. Lawmakers from the People Power Party on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee issued a statement saying, "Chairman Yoon must clearly clarify whether Representative Yoon Young-chan, who was elected after serving as the head of public communication for Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon (who, like Representative Cho, comes from the same media company) and President Moon Jae-in, is of 'Jirasi' origin, or whether the newspaper media itself is 'Jirasi'." They also sarcastically added, "You should know that attempts to suspend the opposition party's judiciary committee secretary's duties following Minister Chu have led to ridicule calling it the 'National Assembly's Chu Mi-ae.'

Kim Do-eup, the senior member of the People Power Party on the National Assembly Judiciary Committee, and opposition lawmakers held a press conference on the 26th at the National Assembly before visiting Yoon Ho-jung, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, to protest. The People Power Party is demanding a full committee meeting to investigate the truth behind the suspension of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol by Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

The People Power Party's staff council also issued a statement regarding the 'staff qualification' remarks, saying, "It is outrageous why suddenly the qualifications of staff are being brought up in their own fight and being fired upon," and "We strongly condemn Chairman Yoon for severely belittling and insulting all National Assembly staff and strongly urge him to sincerely apologize to the approximately 3,000 ruling and opposition staff members."

Representative Yoon pointed out that the briefing by People Power Party lawmaker Cho Soo-jin the previous day was incorrect, saying, "I regret that Representative Cho (who is from Dong-A Ilbo) showed her habit when making 'Jirasi.' I tried very hard not to mention the company name."

Regarding Representative Kim Do-eup, who serves as the opposition party's secretary on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, he said, "I felt great displeasure toward Secretary Kim, who unilaterally threw in a request to open the meeting without prior consultation with the secretaries and insisted that the ruling party and the chairman must follow unconditionally, conducting secretary activities in such a one-sided manner. I appeal to the People Power Party floor leader to carefully consider and replace Secretary Kim." He also criticized, "I want to tell the staff assisting Secretary Kim to properly support him. The U.S. Congress has a qualification exam system for legislative aides; shouldn't we introduce something like that in our country as well?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 27th, People Power Party floor leader Joo Ho-young likened Minister Chu to a 'wild horse with its reins loosened' during a floor leader meeting. Leader Joo said, "If a wild horse with its reins loosened enters a field and roams around, it completely ruins the year's crops," adding, "Minister Chu Mi-ae's lawless and violent acts have completely destroyed the rule of law and the prosecution system in the Republic of Korea."

As the extreme confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties continued, senior Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Sang-min, a five-term veteran, posted on Facebook that day, "The stinky trash fight between Minister Chu and Prosecutor General Yoon is so tiresome," and "Moreover, their leadership as Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General has collapsed, making it impossible to continue in their positions. It is no longer the time to question reasons or circumstances. Both must resign together."

He also pointed out, "They are already placing a heavy burden on national governance and are adding double and triple suffering to the people who are enduring tremendous pain due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19)."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee temporarily suspended all schedules on the 27th amid the extreme confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties. The full committee meeting was adjourned after 15 minutes of standoff over Prosecutor General Yoon's appearance the previous day. The committee's first subcommittee on bill examination discussed the amendment to the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HCIO) Act, which the Democratic Party had announced it would push through, but no conclusion was reached. Democratic Party lawmaker Baek Hye-ryun, who serves as the ruling party's secretary on the committee, said after the subcommittee adjourned, "No bills were passed today," and "I will discuss further with Secretary Kim."

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