Ruling and Opposition Parties Face Repeated Filibuster Controversies... "Due to Stress from Sexual Crime" "Disband the Press Corps"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] As the parliamentary filibuster (legal obstruction of parliamentary proceedings through unlimited debate) drags on, problematic remarks from lawmakers of both ruling and opposition parties are emerging one after another.

On the 11th, Kim Woong, a member of the People Power Party, mentioned strengthening punishments for sexual violence offenders during the filibuster, saying, "It is just like poking a starving beast from the side." He also said, "Sexual violence crimes occur due to impulses, and most of those impulses are caused by accumulated stress."

In response, Kang Sun-woo, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, criticized in a briefing on current issues, "The level of awareness of Representative Kim, who even served as a chief prosecutor, is truly abysmally low," adding, "Sexual crimes are a cruel form of violence that completely ruins and devastates the victim's life; it is a kind of personality murder. To dismiss such sexual crimes as merely caused by stress is utterly unbelievable. It is truly a horrifying idea."

He continued, "I would like to ask Representative Kim Woong. Then, does that mean that since we should not cause stress to criminals, we should not impose various restrictions or disadvantages such as electronic ankle bracelets, CCTV installation, or harsher sentences? Is that the People Power Party's idea of preventing sexual crimes?"

Spokesperson Kang said, "I hope he immediately apologizes to the public and resigns from his position as a lawmaker," and added, "The People Power Party must take responsible action and promptly proceed with disciplinary measures."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Hong Ik-pyo, a Democratic Party lawmaker, expressed his opinion, saying, "Legal reporters just transcribe everything," and "I hope Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae disbands the legal press corps." He also criticized the communication center facilities used by reporters covering the National Assembly, asking, "Why do only reporters receive special privileges?"

Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the People Power Party, demanded an official apology, saying in a statement, "This is a dictatorial idea that goes beyond insulting the media," and "Apologize officially for insulting the press corps and nailing the coffin of press freedom."

Lee Cheol-gyu, a People Power Party lawmaker, sparked controversy the day before by saying, "South Korea has a security system that allows women to walk the streets at night in every corner of the city." He also said, "Women who supported President Moon Jae-in because he was handsome and emotional are now turning their heads," but when faced with protests from ruling party lawmakers, he backed down, saying, "I was just relaying what others said."

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