The Democratic Party submits disciplinary proposal against Jang Kyung-tae to the Ethics Committee... Controversy over Yoon's 'sexual abuse' remarks

by Keum Boryeong

Published 28 Apr.2023 15:14(KST)

Jang Dong-hyeok, Floor Spokesperson, "Serious Damage to National Interest"

The People Power Party filed a complaint with the National Assembly Ethics Committee on the 28th against Jang Kyung-tae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who referred to President Yoon Seok-yeol’s act of kissing a flower girl on the cheek during his visit to the United States as ‘sexual abuse.’

On the same morning, Jang Dong-hyuk, the floor spokesperson of the People Power Party, and Jeong Hee-yong, chief secretary to the floor leader, submitted a disciplinary proposal against Assemblyman Jang to the National Assembly’s legislative affairs office. The People Power Party had previously submitted a disciplinary proposal against Jang for his ‘poverty porn’ remarks during Kim Geon-hee’s visit to Cambodia in November last year.

People Power Party floor spokesperson Jang Dong-hyeok (left) and Chief Secretary to the Floor Leader Jeong Hee-yong are entering the National Assembly Secretariat on the morning of the 28th to submit a disciplinary proposal against National Assembly member Jang Kyung-tae. (Photo by Yonhap News)

At a meeting with reporters, Floor Spokesperson Jang explained, “Just like Assemblyman Yang Yi-won-young from the Democratic Party, it seems the Democratic Party is desperate to create a diplomatic fiasco where none exists, despite the president achieving diplomatic success during his U.S. visit. Assemblyman Jang made the same abusive remarks last time, which led us to submit a disciplinary proposal, but this time he made utterly unacceptable remarks again, so we had no choice but to submit another disciplinary proposal.”

He continued, “Despite making such abusive remarks, there was not even a single apology or expression of regret. Given the significant judicial risks and major issues like the ‘money party’ and ‘money envelope money party,’ it seems they do not consider Assemblyman Jang’s abusive remarks to be a big deal,” he pointed out.

Floor Spokesperson Jang also said, “He has misunderstood the facts, belittled diplomatic achievements, and made insulting remarks about the president and the first lady. These insulting remarks are not merely insulting but are unacceptable statements that seriously damage the national interest of the Republic of Korea and degrade its national dignity,” he criticized.

He added, “Such remarks are made with bad intentions to undermine the president’s diplomatic achievements by any means,” and emphasized, “Very strict measures should be taken. In principle, when such abusive remarks occur, the main reason for disciplinary action is that the member has damaged their dignity and violated the maintenance of dignity.”

Earlier, on the 26th, Assemblyman Jang stated at the Democratic Party’s Supreme Council meeting, “President Yoon kissed a flower girl on the cheek upon arriving in the United States,” and said, “In the U.S., kissing a child on the lips or other parts of the body without the child’s consent is considered an act of sexual abuse.”