Gominjeong and Kimsanguk Urge Kwon Seongdong to Leave Party, Saying "Worse Than Third-Rate Gangsters"

Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the People Power Party, urged Rep. Kim Sang-wook, who voted in favor of the 'Double Special Prosecutor Law' (Special Prosecutor Law on Treason and Special Prosecutor Law on First Lady Kim Geon-hee) in the National Assembly plenary session re-vote, to leave the party. In response, Go Min-jeong, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized, saying, "They should first urge President Yoon Seok-yeol to leave the party."

On the 9th, Rep. Go appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and said, "Without the courage and confidence to do so, how can one say such things to a fellow lawmaker?" She added, "Although we are not from the same party, I was very angry," and said, "That is unacceptable."

Earlier, after the re-vote on the Double Special Prosecutor Law, Floor Leader Kwon told reporters, "I advised Rep. Kim, who acted against the party's stance, that if he finds it difficult to align with the party's position, he cannot remain in the same party and should seriously consider leaving." The People Power Party decided to reject the Double Special Prosecutor Law as the party's official stance that day. However, it is estimated that six members defected on the Special Prosecutor Law on Treason and four on the Special Prosecutor Law on First Lady Kim. Rep. Kim told reporters that he voted in favor of both bills.

Ko Min-jung, Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Yonhap News

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Regarding the 198 votes in favor of the Special Prosecutor Law on Treason, Rep. Go said, "It seems that more votes came out than expected." She continued, "Recently, 45 People Power Party lawmakers gathered in front of the presidential residence, and with the far-right conservative gatherings and Kwon Seong-dong intimidating lawmakers, I thought it wouldn't be easy and that very few would vote in favor. I think Kwon Seong-dong's intimidation actually backfired."

Rep. Go pointed out, "Lawmakers are, after all, people tightly bound by pride. No matter the party's stance, especially in cases like special prosecutors, they are risking their political lives. But to intimidate them or urge them to leave the party is a serious affront to their pride." She added, "I think Kwon Seong-dong's actions are worse than those of a third-rate gangster and that for someone in the position of floor leader to say such things to fellow lawmakers is worse than robbing passersby."

She continued, "He is not new to politics. But he already has a record; when he was on the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, he told a supervised agency to 'bite your tongue and die.' So I really feel that people don't change."

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