Seungwon Kim's 'GSGG' Controversy Spreads... Jinseok Jeong: "Parliament Will Take Disciplinary Action"

"Is the National Assembly a pushover... Ethics Committee to be convened"
Kim Seung-won previously mentioned the Speaker by name and used the expression 'GSGG'
Apologized after revising the statement and visiting the Speaker's office

Jeong Jin-seok, member of the People Power Party, elected as the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Jeong Jin-seok, a member of the People Power Party elected as the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, strongly criticized Kim Seung-won of the Democratic Party of Korea for his so-called 'GSGG' remark, saying, "Is the National Assembly a hot barji?"

In an interview on the morning of the 1st with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' Jeong said regarding Kim's remark, "The National Assembly Ethics Committee will be convened, and disciplinary procedures will naturally be followed."

He continued, "At first, I thought GSGG was the name of a convenience store," adding, "I was really shocked when I later heard the true meaning. Former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop called for Kim's discipline, and I agree with that," expressing his outrage.

He emphasized, "If Speaker Park Byeong-seok, who is the party involved, cannot handle this issue, I think I must step up and initiate disciplinary procedures."

Earlier, on the 31st of last month, Kim posted on his Facebook, "Today, we failed to pass the Media Arbitration Act. We could not reflect the people's aspirations," and asked, "What more must we concede to pass the Fake News Damage Relief Act?"

He added, "I will stake all my positions to ensure it passes properly and more strongly," and said, "Thank you very much, Park Byeong-seok. This will go down in history. GSGG."

However, controversy arose over Kim's post. The problem was the use of the incomprehensible expression 'GSGG' after mentioning Speaker Park Byeong-seok's name. Some speculated that GSGG might be an insult aimed at Speaker Park.

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Seung-won mentioned National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok's name and then used the nonsensical expression 'GSGG,' sparking controversy. / Photo by Kim Seung-won, Facebook capture

As the controversy grew, Kim deleted the GSGG phrase and revised his post to say, "Thank you very much, Speaker Park Byeong-seok. This will go down in history," adding, "However, a governor must not forget the duty to faithfully serve the general will of the people."

On the same day, before the plenary session of the National Assembly, Kim personally visited the Speaker's office to apologize. After the visit, he told reporters, "I went to see him first and apologized because he is an elder," adding, "He expressed disappointment and also encouraged me to do better."

Despite Kim's apology, voices calling for disciplinary action against him for his careless remarks toward the Speaker of the National Assembly are emerging.

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop wrote on his Facebook that day, "A lawmaker who publicly insulted the Speaker by calling him by name and using an abbreviation like 'GSGG' because a controversial bill did not pass as desired must be disciplined by the National Assembly," arguing, "The person insulted is not just Speaker Park Byeong-seok but the entire nation he represents."

He added, "The excuse offered without a word of apology or reflection is vulgar and cowardly beyond measure," and criticized, "I am ashamed that such a person represents us."

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