'National Assembly Fast-Track Clash' Democratic Party Side: "No Assault... Only Defensive Actions"

"Liberty Korea Party Detains National Assembly Staff and Obstructs Legislative Activities"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Former and current members of the Democratic Party of Korea, who were indicted in the 'National Assembly Fast-Track (Rapid Processing Agenda) Clash' case, claimed that no assault occurred during the incident and that they were merely resisting illegal actions by opposition party lawmakers.

At the trial held on the 30th at the Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Division 12 (Presiding Judge Oh Sang-yong), the defendants, including Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye, stated, "The defendants did not commit the assault described in the indictment," adding, "Even if it did occur, it was only a passive defensive act resisting the illegal actions of the Liberty Korea Party (now People Power Party) members, so there is no illegality."

During the trial, the defense conducted evidence examination of video footage showing the internal situation inside the National Assembly in April 2019, when physical clashes between ruling and opposition parties occurred.

The video showed Liberty Korea Party lawmakers gathered in former National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang's office protesting the reassignment of former lawmaker Oh Shin-hwan. The defense argued that opposition lawmakers occupied the Speaker's office and assaulted security guards by pushing them.

The defense submitted video evidence showing Liberty Korea Party lawmakers blocking the entrance to the meeting room and seizing National Assembly agenda and bill documents from staff.

The defense attorney pointed out, "Under the leadership of former floor leader Na Kyung-won and other leaders, the Liberty Korea Party prearranged teams to occupy the agenda office and block bill submissions," adding, "They detained agenda office staff and obstructed the core legislative activity of lawmakers, which is bill submission."

The defense also argued that the physical clashes that occurred at the time were not assaults. They claimed that during scuffles, any contact such as bumping into others or losing balance and falling while holding onto someone was not intentional use of physical force.

Regarding the scene where Minister Park engaged in a scuffle with Liberty Korea Party members blocking the meeting room entrance, the defense explained, "The defendant was trying to avoid physical confrontation by looking for an empty meeting room and ended up in an accidental scuffle," adding, "He did not forcibly pull out the Liberty Korea Party member at the door but was pushed backward together with them."

Previously, Minister Park and others were indicted on charges of assaulting and injuring Liberty Korea Party lawmakers and party officials during the 'Fast-Track Clash' incident in 2019.

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