Heated Exchanges Between Ruling and Opposition Parties During Park Chan-dae's Negotiation Group Leader Speech

by Oh Jieun

Published 04 Sep.2024 11:04(KST)

Some People Power Party Lawmakers Walk Out During Remarks

Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, delivered the first negotiation group representative speech since the opening of the 22nd National Assembly at the plenary session on the morning of the 4th. When Park criticized President Yoon Seok-yeol, the reactions of lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties were divided.

Park said, "Is President Yoon Seok-yeol abiding by the Constitution?" and added, "As an ordinary citizen, I cannot help but ask." In response, lawmakers from the People Power Party strongly answered "Yes." Then, an opposition lawmaker shouted, "President Yoon is doing nothing."

Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering a negotiation group representative speech at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 4th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Park stated, "It has been 2 years and 4 months since the Yoon administration began," and "During that time, public safety, the livelihood economy, democracy, and peace on the Korean Peninsula have fallen into crisis, and the constitutional order is also in danger." Lawmakers from the People Power Party strongly opposed this while seated, saying things like "That's too much," "Pot calling the kettle black," and "What are you doing while saying you want cooperation?"

When Park mentioned in his speech that "the president even did not attend the opening ceremony of the National Assembly," ruling party lawmakers raised their voices, saying, "There must have been a good reason for that." Meanwhile, some lawmakers, including Song Seok-jun of the People Power Party, left the session.

When Park said, "The National Assembly must become a strong pillar that protects the country and the lives of the people," opposition lawmakers agreed, saying "That's right," while ruling party lawmakers sarcastically responded, "Just words!"