Physical Altercation Breaks Out Over Standing Committee Assignments; Kwon Young-jin Issues Apology

[Anchor]

Controversy is growing within the People Power Party after two-term lawmaker Kwon Young-jin physically grabbed Floor Leader Chung Jum-sic by the collar in protest over standing committee assignments. While Kwon, the lawmaker at the center of the controversy, posted an apology via text message to party members, the floor deputy leadership has demanded a public apology.

Here is a report from reporter Park Chan-beom.

[Reporter]

The People Power Party's floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly this morning (July 24) proceeded without Floor Leader Chung Jum-sic in attendance.

While Chief Deputy Floor Leader Kim Seung-su stated that Floor Leader Chung was absent due to a scheduled visit to the National Cemetery, talks arose within the party suggesting that yesterday's physical altercation over the assignment of standing committees may have had an impact.

[Jung Hee-yong / Secretary-General, People Power Party: Our party displayed behavior that undermined dignity and order. We sincerely apologize for causing disappointment to party members and the public.]

Some People Power Party lawmakers reportedly visited the floor leadership yesterday to protest their dissatisfaction with standing committee allocations, during which two-term lawmaker Kwon Young-jin from Daegu raised his voice and grabbed Floor Leader Chung by the collar.

As the fallout grew, Kwon apologized to Floor Leader Chung in a group chat with People Power Party lawmakers.

Kwon stated, "Regardless of the reason, my words and actions in the floor leader's office yesterday were entirely due to my own shortcomings and were wrong," adding, "I apologize for showing great disrespect to Floor Leader Chung and damaging his leadership."

The People Power Party's floor deputy leadership demanded a public apology from Kwon.

[Choi Su-jin / Chief Floor Spokesperson, People Power Party: We plan to issue a statement as the floor deputy leadership and request a general meeting of lawmakers. Therefore, we are requesting a public apology at that general meeting.]

As the organization of the second half of the 22nd National Assembly, which had drifted for over 50 days, was barely being finalized, the National Assembly has been tarnished by an unexpected physical altercation, prompting calls both inside and outside the People Power Party for severe measures.

(Photo courtesy of Yonhap News)
Reported by Lee Seung-hwan and Shin Dong-hwan | Video by Jeon Min-gyu
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.