Ruling Party Lee Jae-myung and Yoon Young-chan, Opposition Kim Ki-hyun... Retaliation through Ethics Committee Complaints

Ruling and Opposition Parties Accelerate Political Confrontation
Cooperation Growing More Distant, "Difficult Until Next Year's General Election"

The People Power Party and the Democratic Party have begun pressuring each other using the National Assembly's Ethics Special Committee (Ethics Committee). The Democratic Party filed a complaint with the Ethics Committee against Kim Gi-hyeon, leader of the People Power Party, for his remarks about being 'intoxicated by drugs.' In response, the People Power Party filed complaints against Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, and Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Young-chan.

On the 5th, the People Power Party submitted disciplinary proposals against Lee and lawmaker Lim Jong-sung. The People Power Party views Lee and Lim's statements opposing the discharge of Fukushima contaminated water?calling Lee a 'quack scientist' and Lim saying 'I would rather eat feces than Fukushima contaminated water'?as violations of the duty to maintain the dignity of National Assembly members.

Along with this, they also submitted a disciplinary proposal against Kim Young-joo, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly from the Democratic Party, for exchanging text messages about a trip to Japan with an acquaintance during a plenary session.

The previous day, they filed a complaint with the Ethics Committee against lawmaker Yoon for his 'coup d'?tat' remarks. On the 30th of last month, Yoon claimed on SBS Radio, "President Yoon Seok-yeol became president through a de facto coup opposing prosecutorial reform during the Moon Jae-in administration by investigating Cho Kuk (former Minister of Justice)."

The Democratic Party also filed a complaint with the Ethics Committee against Kim for his 'intoxicated by drugs' remarks and lies related to his son's cryptocurrency. In a disciplinary proposal on the 4th, the Democratic Party stated, "He disparaged the legitimate legislative activities of the opposition party with excessive abusive language and damaged the dignity of the National Assembly. This insulted not only the victims' families of the tragedy but also the public who seek a thorough investigation."

Jeong Gyeong-hee, Deputy Floor Leader of the People Power Party (right), and Jeon Ju-hye, Floor Spokesperson, submitted a disciplinary proposal against Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Young-chan to the National Assembly's Legislative Affairs Office on the 4th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The issue was Kim's remarks on the 1st, targeting the Democratic Party, which fast-tracked the 'Itaewon Tragedy Truth Investigation Special Act,' saying, "They are intoxicated by drugs, solely obsessed with immediate gains, and even exploit the national tragedy as a tool for political strife."

The two individuals named in the disciplinary proposals have differing stances. Kim continued his criticism of the Democratic Party, while lawmaker Yoon explained that his remarks were metaphorical.

On the 4th, Kim said on Facebook, "Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party must be really desperate. Last year, when I blocked the passage of the 'complete prosecution reform' bad law, the Democratic Party unilaterally disciplined me by directly referring me to the plenary session without going through the Ethics Committee. Now, because I spoke the truth, they are referring me to the Ethics Committee again."

On the 5th, lawmaker Yoon explained on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs,' "(Regarding President Yoon Seok-yeol's 'anti-state forces' remarks) I was explaining that since he became president by defying the president, there might be a psychological need to further deny the legitimacy of the previous administration in some way. Who among the people of the Republic of Korea would believe that the Yoon Seok-yeol government came to power through a coup? It's an absurd story," he said.

Jeong Chun-sook, Senior Deputy Policy Representative of the Democratic Party of Korea (left), and Hong Seong-guk, Floor Spokesperson, submitted a disciplinary proposal against Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, to the National Assembly's Legislative Affairs Office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 4th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

As both ruling and opposition parties continue to exchange harsh remarks against each other, concerns are rising that cooperation will be difficult even in the July extraordinary session of the National Assembly. The Democratic Party has announced plans to pass the Yellow Envelope Act and others in the plenary session, while the People Power Party has stated it will counter with filibusters and constitutional complaints.

Former People Power Party emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in said, "The atmosphere is not conducive for the two parties to talk to each other right now," and predicted, "Nothing will happen until next year's general election."

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