"강 Seonghee Forced Removal, Disregard for National Assembly"... Opposition Condemns Ruling Party for 'Operations Committee Disruption'

The opposition party unilaterally convened the National Assembly Steering Committee over the 'Forced Removal Incident of Progressive Party Lawmaker Kang Seong-hee,' but the session ultimately ended in deadlock due to the ruling party's absence.

The National Assembly Steering Committee held a plenary meeting on the morning of the 23rd, but it was adjourned after about 15 minutes as members from the People Power Party did not attend. Earlier, Lawmaker Kang Seong-hee was forcibly removed from an event attended by President Yoon Seok-yeol after protesting for a change in the national policy direction and being dragged out by all four limbs. The day before, the Democratic Party, Justice Party, Basic Income Party, and Progressive Party defined this incident as "disrespect to the entire legislative branch" and demanded the convening of the Steering Committee to investigate the truth. They called for an apology from President Yoon and the dismissal of Kim Yong-hyun, the head of the security office.

On the 23rd, Chairman Yoon Jae-ok is conducting a meeting at the National Assembly Steering Committee. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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Democratic Party Lawmaker Kang Jun-hyun stated, "An unprecedented incident occurred where a lawmaker was gagged and restrained by security personnel and dragged out by all four limbs," adding, "The Presidential Office's explanation that it was a security threat because the lawmaker did not let go of the president's hand is a blatant lie." He further criticized, "This is an act of disrespect toward lawmakers representing the people and the National Assembly, an act that destroys democracy and suppresses the voice of the people," and emphasized, "It is a serious matter that requires a direct apology from President Yoon and holding Kim Yong-hyun, the head of the security office, accountable."

Democratic Party Lawmaker Kim Han-gyu also added, "This incident goes beyond political responsibility to legal liability, yet all related parties from the Presidential Office and the security office were absent," and questioned, "How little respect do they have for the National Assembly to only make procedural remarks and dissolve the meeting every time the Steering Committee is convened?"

Justice Party Lawmaker Bae Jin-kyo said, "The forced removal by the security office can only be seen as an insult to all 300 lawmakers and the National Assembly itself," and urged, "The Steering Committee must resolve to demand an apology from the colonel and the dismissal of the head of the security office. I request this resolution once again."

On the other hand, Lee Yang-su, the ruling party's secretary of the Steering Committee, expressed regret, pointing out that the committee was unilaterally convened without agreement between the ruling and opposition secretaries. He said, "Actions that repeatedly involve the Presidential Office in political disputes should be avoided," and added, "Regarding Lawmaker Kang Seong-hee's sudden behavior, it was clearly a violation of the Security Act, so distancing measures had to be taken."

On the 23rd, opposition party lawmakers are holding a press conference after the meeting ended in front of the National Assembly Steering Committee. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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After the adjournment was declared, opposition Steering Committee members immediately held an 'Emergency Press Conference Condemning the People Power Party' in front of the Steering Committee meeting room to protest.

Opposition Steering Committee Secretary Park Joo-min of the Democratic Party mentioned the forced removal incident of Lawmaker Kang Seong-hee, diplomatic failures, suspicions of Presidential Office interference in the death of a Marine soldier, and President Yoon's interference in party affairs concerning People Power Party Emergency Response Committee Chairman Han Dong-hoon, stating firmly, "This cannot continue." Park criticized, "A violation of the Security Act occurs when there is a threat, but how can demanding a change in national policy direction be considered a threat?" and added, "If shouting loudly is considered a threat, then saying 'President, fighting!' would also be a threat. What difference is there other than offending someone's feelings?"

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