The Democratic Party demands Yong Hye-in's exit over 'hidden camera controversy'... 20-minute dispute ensues

Institutional Report Controversy Repeatedly Highlighted
Political Strife Resurfaces with 3 Days Left for National Investigation Deadline
Yong Hye-in Apologizes, Deletes Video, Faces Calls to Leave

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] On the 4th, during the National Assembly's state audit hearing to investigate the truth behind the 'Itaewon Disaster,' ruling party special committee members pointed out the 'secret filming controversy' involving the aide of Yong Hye-in, a member of the Basic Income Party, demanding Yong's exit, leading to a sharp confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties for about 20 minutes. This marked yet another political dispute with only three days left before the deadline for the state audit.

The Special Committee on the State Audit held its first hearing on the Itaewon Disaster investigation at the National Assembly that day. Lee Man-hee, the ruling party's secretary-general and a member of the People Power Party, demanded Yong's removal through a procedural statement immediately after the hearing began.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

During the second agency report of the state audit on the 29th of last month, the meeting was disrupted after a recess due to allegations that Yong's side secretly filmed the conversation between People Power Party members Jeon Ju-hye and Jo Su-jin. This dispute lasted about 20 minutes after the hearing started.

Lee said, "Among fellow lawmakers, especially in a state audit session aimed at uncovering the truth of the Itaewon Disaster, such behavior is hard to believe it occurred," adding, "The Democratic Party floor leader defended Yong's behavior, likening it to a student refusing to attend school because they want to change their seat partner."

He continued, "Given that the person involved was not even present at the scene, but the aide disguised as a reporter filmed other lawmakers and recorded their conversations, one cannot help but suspect the intent behind this," and requested, "I ask Yong to sincerely apologize to fellow lawmakers and leave the meeting room for the smooth progress of the state audit."

Lawmaker Jeon Ju-hye also criticized, "The filming that happened that day was indeed secret filming," stating, "It was taken after the recess, directed at Jo and me. If not secret filming, then what is it?" She further said, "Yong's disgraceful incident diminishes the significance of the state audit and obstructs the conscientious legislative activities of National Assembly members, and thus should be condemned," demanding an apology, deletion of the video, and Yong's exit from the meeting.

In response, Yong refuted the claims as "distorting the facts" and stood firm. He said, "My aides have been recording my legislative activities for three years in compliance with the National Assembly Act and rules," adding, "They were recording as usual from the time I left without giving any special instructions until I returned. The claim that there was a specific intent or directive in a particular situation is inconsistent with the facts."

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