Environment and Labor Committee, 'Kim Moon-soo Dispute'.. "Former President Mentioned 'Execution'.. Is This a Country?" vs Ruling Party "Freedom of Conscience and Thought"

Environment and Labor Committee, 'Kim Moon-soo Accusation' Dispute... Opposition "Insult to the National Assembly" vs Ruling Party "Freedom of Thought"

Kim Moon-soo, Chairman of the Economic, Social and Labor Council, is delivering a greeting at the National Assembly's audit on the Economic, Social and Labor Council held on the 12th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] On the 17th, the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee continued its clash over whether to file charges against Kim Moon-soo, Chairman of the Economic and Social Labor Council, during the national audit. In particular, Democratic Party lawmakers unleashed a barrage of criticism, insisting that Chairman Kim should be prosecuted.

Lawmaker Woo Won-shik opened the fire. He said, "This is a clear insult to the National Assembly and the national audit conducted by the National Assembly members," adding, "(Chairman Kim) apologized, but it has become clear that the apology was not sincere. It was confirmed that there was a clear intent to insult."

Lawmaker Roh Woong-rae also strongly criticized, saying, "If we overlook Chairman Kim's actions that insult and demean the National Assembly and the people and try to deflect through political strife, then there is no reason for the National Assembly to exist," and added, "Calling a National Assembly member someone who is loyal to the leadership, and referring to a former president as 'deserving of execution' or a 'Kim Il-sungist,' is this a country?"

Lawmakers from the People Power Party countered that the remarks were an exercise of Chairman Kim's 'freedom of conscience.'

Lawmaker Lee Joo-hwan defended Chairman Kim, saying, "Considering the overall situation that day, it is difficult to explicitly state that the authority of the National Assembly was undermined," and "I understand that Chairman Kim also apologized."

Lawmaker Lim Yi-ja from the same party also rebutted, saying, "When did Chairman Kim insult the National Assembly?" and "He was expressing his thoughts on what the opposition asked, which is freedom of belief and freedom of conscience." Regarding the 'Kim Il-sungist' remark, she added, "He qualified it by saying 'if he is the thinker most respected by Shin Young-bok,'" and questioned, "He spoke according to his freedom of conscience, so what is the problem?"

As the confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties continued, Jeon Hae-cheol, chairman of the Environment and Labor Committee, said, "The party floor leaders should discuss measures this morning," and added, "If no agreement is reached, the chairman will proceed according to his judgment."

Meanwhile, regarding the death of a woman in her 20s at the SPL bakery factory affiliated with SPC, the Environment and Labor Committee decided to summon Kang Dong-seok, CEO of SPL bakery, as a witness at the comprehensive audit on the 24th.

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