▲ Rep. Seo Bum-soo of the People Power Party
The leadership of the People Power Party announced today (August 6) during a Supreme Council meeting that they reached a consensus that the party's Central Ethics Committee should take strict disciplinary action against Representative Seo Bum-soo, who sparked controversy with inappropriate remarks during a National Assembly seminar regarding the abolition of prosecutors' supplementary investigation powers.
Previously, during a seminar hosted by independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon on August 4, before the victim of the "Busan roundhouse kick" incident arrived, Representative Seo said to Representative Jin Jong-oh, who was sitting across from him, "Care to do a roundhouse kick?" Representative Jin responded in a manner implying he uses his hands better than his feet, causing a public outcry.
Choi Bo-yoon, senior spokesperson for the People Power Party, stated, "The Supreme Council all sympathized with the gravity of the remarks, and a common opinion was gathered that there should be strict and corresponding measures from the Ethics Committee." She added, "There was a discussion that proceeding with Ethics Committee disciplinary procedures rather than departure from the party is the correct course."
Floor Leader Jung Jeom-sik issued a separate statement, saying, "There were recent remarks by lawmakers belonging to our party that trivialized a horrific crime. This was an inappropriate word and action that must never happen, and as the floor leader representing the lawmakers of the People Power Party, I am deeply apologetic to the public."
Floor Leader Jung continued, "I urge party lawmakers to always exercise caution in their words and actions," and repeatedly expressed his apology, saying, "We will take all possible measures to prevent such disgraceful incidents from recurring."
Youth Supreme Councillor Woo Jae-jun met with reporters after the closed-door Supreme Council meeting and said, "(During the closed meeting), I expressed concern that the victim is worried the issue might draw too much attention and overshadowing the abolition of supplementary investigation powers. I stated my hope that this issue would be resolved quietly through appropriate procedures without making too much noise, and there was agreement with that awareness." He added, "The Ethics Committee's disciplinary decision should also take into consideration the fact that the victim has accepted the apology."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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