Even National Assembly Transcripts Are Profitable... Sold for 80 Million Won at Overseas Auction

New Zealand Prime Minister Targets Opposition Leader as "Arrogant Guy"
Transcript Copy Containing Controversial Remarks Auctioned for Charity
All Auction Proceeds Donated to Prostate Cancer Foundation Projects

A transcript copy of a 'hot mic' moment targeting opposition leader Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, was sold for 80 million won at a charity auction.

On the 22nd (local time), New Zealand local media reported that a transcript copy containing Ardern's muttered remark calling ACT Party leader David Seymour a "cheeky bastard" was sold for NZD 100,100 (about 80 million won) at a Trade Me online auction for the New Zealand Prostate Cancer Foundation.

The identity of the auction winner has not been disclosed. The transcript copy, which sold at a high price this time, contains the signatures of Prime Minister Ardern and leader Seymour. The media reported that the auction started on the 15th and received as many as 282 bids until this day.

On the 13th, during a parliamentary question time, Ardern, unaware that her microphone was on, muttered "cheeky bastard" targeting Seymour to Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson sitting next to her. This remark was fully recorded in the transcript. It was a 'hot mic' incident where a mistake occurred without realizing the microphone was on and was reported by the media.

Following the controversy, Ardern officially apologized in parliament the next day, saying, "I will never repeat such remarks." Leader Seymour also readily accepted the apology. The two further announced that they would put the transcript copy containing the insult up for a charity auction for the Prostate Cancer Foundation at the end of the year.

Prime Minister Ardern and Representative Seymour. Photo by Trade Me website capture, Yonhap News

New Zealand media also commented that although it was a charitable activity, it was unexpected for political rivals to become a team, showing 'politics of coexistence.'

After the bidding ended, leader Seymour expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Ardern, explaining, "I proposed this to Jacinda at the parliamentary press room party last week, and she accepted on the spot, so the matter could proceed immediately."

Prime Minister Ardern said about the winning bid, "I did not expect it to be this much," adding, "I am glad that a mistake caused by the old microphone in parliament could bring a lot of money to the Prostate Cancer Foundation."

The proceeds from the auction will be used entirely for the projects of the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

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