Democratic Party of Korea floor leader Han Byung-do called out several People Power Party lawmakers Wednesday, urging them to "stop ruining the National Assembly and national audit proceedings with crude language, finger-pointing and shouting."
Speaking at a supreme council meeting at the National Assembly on Wednesday, Han said PPP lawmakers had drawn public disapproval with their outbursts from the very first day of the national audit, which began Tuesday.
Han singled out PPP lawmaker Kim Tae-gyu by name, saying Kim had interrupted a colleague's questioning during the Legislation and Judiciary Committee audit, had his speaking rights suspended, and then aggressively confronted the committee chair with finger-pointing even after being removed from the chamber.
Han said Kim had already faced a disciplinary motion and a resolution calling for his expulsion over his denial of Chun Doo-hwan's insurrection, and had been reported to prosecutors Tuesday on charges of violating the May 18 Democratization Movement Act. "When he should be reflecting and apologizing, he is turning the national audit into chaos — one cannot help but question whether he is fit to represent the people," Han said.
Han went on to say that Kim appeared to have made a habit of abusive language, insults and belittling others. "I don't know whether he is enjoying this situation because it is the first time he has received this kind of attention, but I hope he reads the room and shows some restraint," Han added.
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