Kim Nam-guk: "You Have to Say No When It's Not About Privilege... Being Young Alone Doesn't Make You Youth Politics"

Kim Nam-guk, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Choyoung] On the 15th, Kim Namguk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, addressed Lee Junseok, leader of the People Power Party, who expressed a reserved stance on the 'introduction of closed-circuit television (CCTV) in operating rooms,' saying, "Politics should clearly say no when it is no to vested interests and show politics that stand on the side of the people."

In an interview with MBC Radio's 'Pyo Changwon's News High Kick' on the same day, Rep. Kim said, "Usually, when a bill is unlikely to pass in the National Assembly, people tend to oppose it indirectly by saying that further social discussion is needed. (Lee's position) is practically no different from saying he opposes it and will not allow it to pass."

Earlier, on the 14th, Lee stated on KBS Radio, "I agree that the purpose is to reduce medical accidents and uncover the truth," but added, "More social discussion is needed."

Lee also said, "If operating room CCTV is widely implemented, doctors may become very passive in their medical practices," and "I will listen more to experts' opinions on whether this is truly positive for the health of the people and then take a position."

In response, Rep. Kim argued, "The claim that doctors will provide passive treatment because of CCTV installation is not a valid counterargument," adding, "The CCTV does not record specific surgical scenes but only captures the overall view of the operating room to minimize infringement on patients' human rights. According to last year's comprehensive survey by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, 14% of hospitals already have CCTV installed inside operating rooms."

He also warned, "What the public expects from youth politics is to create a working National Assembly and politics for the people," emphasizing, "Youth politics should never be just about being young in age or making formal or unprecedented shocks unseen in existing politics."

Previously, Rep. Kim publicly criticized Lee on his Facebook, saying, "If you only do image-building politics by riding Ddareungi bikes but oppose the bill to install operating room CCTV that protects the health and lives of the people by siding with vested interests rather than the people, what use is such youth politics?"

Meanwhile, as the ruling party's offensive continued on this issue, Lee responded on his Facebook, "If a cautious stance on the operating room CCTV issue is interpreted as 'condoning illegal medical practices or sexual harassment,' this is a caricature of politics," and added, "How long will you continue to promote good versus evil and conduct poll-driven politics?"

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