"Excited" Apology from Kim Sang-hee... Heo Eun-ah Calls It a "Plea for Apology" Level Excuse

Kim Sang-hee, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, is speaking at the plenary session of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, where the afternoon government-related questions in the political field were held in September last year. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Ju-hee] Kim Sang-hee, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, apologized for his remark "You’re excited, you’re excited" directed at opposition party members during the National Assembly’s interpellation session. However, Heo Eun-ah, a member of the People Power Party, criticized it as "nothing more than a superficial apology plea."

Before starting the interpellation session on the 21st, Deputy Speaker Kim stated, "My muttering during the plenary session two days ago caused unintended misunderstandings," and added, "I express my regrets to the members."

He continued, "I apologize for causing concern to the citizens who are going through difficulties," and said, "I will do my best to ensure smooth proceedings."

Earlier, on the 19th, during the interpellation session on politics, diplomacy, unification, and security held in the National Assembly plenary hall, Deputy Speaker Kim caused controversy by saying to opposition members, "You’re excited, you’re excited."

At that time, Heo received encouragement from fellow lawmakers as she returned to her seat after pointing out the Central Election Commission’s neutrality issues to Hong Nam-ki, Acting Prime Minister. Deputy Speaker Kim made the remark thinking the microphone was off, but the comment was clearly heard throughout the plenary hall.

Deputy Speaker Kim did not immediately apologize to the People Power Party afterward, and the People Power Party strongly protested during the meeting on the 20th, leaving the plenary hall en masse.

People Power Party lawmaker Heo Eun-ah is speaking at the full meeting of the Steering Committee held in the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, in the morning of September last year. Photo by Yonhap News.

Regarding Deputy Speaker Kim’s apology two days after the remark, Heo criticized it as "nothing more than a superficial apology plea."

In a post on Facebook on the 21st, Heo targeted Deputy Speaker Kim, saying, "It was a perplexing expression of regret that did not clarify who the apology was for or what it was about," criticizing it as unbefitting of the dignity of the Speaker’s office. She added, "Nevertheless, I will stay in the plenary hall for the gravity of state affairs."

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