"Do You Know the Price of a Carton of Eggs?"... Jeong Se-gyun and the Opposition Engage in a Tense Exchange During Government Questioning

"Even the Chief Justice Bowed His Head" vs "Is This the Joseon Dynasty?"
When Asked About 'Presidential Election Candidacy Rumors,' Prime Minister Jeong Said, "Busy Responding to COVID-19"
Unexpected Questions Also Raised, Including Asking the Price of 'One Carton of Eggs'

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is attending the government questioning session on education, society, and culture held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 8th, responding to lawmakers' questions. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] On the 8th, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, who appeared at the National Assembly's interpellation session, exchanged heated words with opposition party lawmakers. On this day, lawmakers from the People Power Party raised the 'Kim Myung-soo Chief Justice lying controversy' and also asked 'surprise questions' such as the price of a carton of eggs. In contrast, Prime Minister Chung responded promptly and strongly to the questions.

At the interpellation session on education, social, and cultural affairs held at the National Assembly that day, Park Sung-joong of the People Power Party was the first to ask questions. Park referred to the Kim Chief Justice's recorded conversation controversy that surfaced on the 4th, sarcastically criticizing, "He was the Speaker of the National Assembly, then became Prime Minister bowing to the President, and now even the Chief Justice bows to the President."

Earlier, Im Seong-geun, Chief Judge of the Busan High Court, disclosed a recorded conversation with Chief Justice Kim from May last year through a media outlet. According to the recording, Chief Justice Kim mentioned regarding Judge Im's submitted resignation, "I have to consider various influences and political situations." The opposition criticized this as 'the head of the judiciary being mindful of the legislature.' Park's use of the phrase 'bowing the head' is interpreted as criticism of the compromised independence of the judiciary.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is attending the government questioning session on education, society, and culture held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 8th, responding to questions from Park Sung-joong, a member of the People Power Party. / Photo by Yonhap News

In response, Prime Minister Chung retorted, "Is this the era of monarchies? Who bows their head?"

Then, when Park criticized President Moon by saying, "Only when showing off or putting on a show, like a tow truck that rushes like a ghost at a traffic accident," Prime Minister Chung snapped back, "Make sure the residents of Seocho District are not embarrassed." This appears to be a remark targeting Park's constituency (Seocho-eul, Seoul).

Park asked about the so-called 'presidential bid rumors' of Prime Minister Chung, saying, "Now the only one left is the President," and "I read in the media that you have started making policies and organizing teams; is it going well?"

Prime Minister Chung replied, "I am busy responding to COVID-19 right now, so I don't know what you are talking about." When Park asked again, "Since being mentioned as a presidential candidate, there are opinions that you have become tougher to appeal to Moon supporters," Chung responded, "Tougher? Where would my true nature go?"

Meanwhile, on the same day, People Power Party lawmaker Hwang Bo-seung-hee also asked Prime Minister Chung a surprise question. She asked, "Do you know how much a carton of eggs costs?"

This seems to be a reference to the situation on the 5th when Land, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Byun Chang-heum was asked about public transportation fares during his first interpellation session and failed to give a specific answer, trailing off with "Because I pay by card."

However, Prime Minister Chung immediately answered, "7,500 won."

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