Kim Yeji Says She "Cannot Understand" Party Leadership Defending Park Minyoung's Disability-Disparaging Remarks

"Have Not Received a Direct Apology from Spokesperson Park"
"Staying Silent Is Cowardly, Filed Police Complaint"

Kim Yeji, a member of the People Power Party, stated on the 19th that she finds it "difficult to understand" the party leadership's decision to reject the resignation of Park Minyoung, the party's media spokesperson who made remarks disparaging people with disabilities toward her, and instead issued only a verbal warning.

After holding a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Center to announce her sponsorship of a bill to protect children, the elderly, and people with severe disabilities, Assemblywoman Kim met with reporters and commented on Representative Jang Donghyuk's decision to issue only a "stern warning" to Spokesperson Park without further disciplinary action. She said, "As an individual, I find it hard to understand the statement that 'talent should be protected.'"

Kim Yeji, a member of the People Power Party, is attending as a witness for investigation at the Special Investigation Office for Internal Rebellion set up at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 11th. Photo by Yonhap News

She added, "While the appropriateness of the victim's perspective and that of a party colleague may differ, I sincerely hope the party will move in a positive direction and stand with the vulnerable." When asked whether Spokesperson Park had apologized to her directly, she replied, "I have not received any such message."

Regarding Floor Leader Song Eonseok's comment at a press briefing the previous day, where he described the controversy over Spokesperson Park as "a minor internal matter," Kim said, "I sincerely hope that he made such a statement because he was caught off guard by a sudden question and was not thinking clearly at the time."

In response to Supreme Council Member Shin Dongwook's comment earlier that day, saying, "I have no way of knowing how Assemblywoman Kim became a proportional representative twice in a row," she countered, "If he checks the facts regarding the matters he finds suspicious, I believe his doubts will be resolved."

Previously, on the 12th, Spokesperson Park appeared on a far-right YouTube channel and made remarks about Assemblywoman Kim, who is visually impaired and a proportional representative, saying, "There are too many disability (proportional representation) quotas, and that's a problem," "Except for her visual impairment, she is part of the establishment," and "She uses her vulnerability as a weapon."

Assemblywoman Kim has filed a police complaint against Spokesperson Park on charges such as spreading false information and defamation. She explained her decision by saying, "Many citizens have said that this (Spokesperson Park's remarks) constitutes a human rights violation and insult," and added, "Remaining silent would be extremely cowardly, and if it is for the good of society, one must take action."

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