Resolution Urging Lee Jin-suk to Recuse Herself Passes Amid War of Words Over 'Skunk Stench' Remark

[Anchor]

The National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee turned into a battlefield today (Sept. 8) over People Power Party lawmaker Lee Jin-suk, who sparked controversy for holding a debate distorting the May 18 Democratization Movement. Led by the Democratic Party, a resolution was passed urging Lee to refrain from speaking or participating in votes on issues related to herself. During the session, a war of words erupted after Lee was compared to a skunk, leading to shouting matches.

Reporter Choi Jae-yeong has the details.

[Reporter]

At today's meeting of the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee,

Democratic Party lawmakers proposed a resolution urging People Power Party lawmaker Lee Jin-suk to voluntarily recuse herself from speaking and voting on two specific areas of agenda items.

One involves actions Lee was involved in during her tenure as chairperson of the former Korea Communications Commission, and the other concerns her hosting of a debate criticized for distorting the May 18 Democratization Movement.

[Han Jun-ho / Democratic Party Lawmaker: (The resolution) is premised on maintaining fairness in committee reviews and preventing unnecessary disputes and disruptions.]

Lee and People Power Party lawmakers immediately pushed back, with the verbal sparring between the ruling and opposition parties becoming especially fierce over the May 18 debate issue.

During criticisms of Lee's historical awareness, a Democratic Party lawmaker made this remark:

[Lee Yeon-hee / Democratic Party Lawmaker: A skunk has entered the temple of the public will and is filling the National Assembly with a foul stench.]

People Power Party lawmakers flared up, calling it a step beyond the bounds.

[Choi Hyung-du / People Power Party Lawmaker: How can there be such personal attacks and insulting remarks? How on earth can you talk about a fellow lawmaker that way?]

[Lee Jin-suk / People Power Party Lawmaker: This is the tyranny of the majority, a dictatorship of the majority, and I believe this very act emits a foul stench resembling that of a skunk in democracy.]

People Power Party lawmakers walked out of the meeting room just before the vote on the resolution, and the measure was passed led by the Democratic Party.

However, this resolution does not carry binding force to forcibly restrict Lee's legislative activities.

(Video Editing: Shin Dong-hwan, Video Editing: Lee Seung-jin)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.