"You devil," "What did you say?"—Shouting and finger-pointing erupt at Kim Seung-won's hearing

[Financial News] The confirmation hearing for Kim Seung-won, nominee for Minister of Justice, held on the 15th was marred from the outset by a fierce clash between the ruling and opposition parties. Before the formal questioning began, a Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker shouted "devil" at a People Power Party lawmaker, while finger-pointing and angry shouts continued between the two sides.
The confrontation began when Kim Nam-hee of the Democratic Party of Korea raised the issue of a social cooperative operated by the nominee's spouse. Joo Jin-woo of the People Power Party had previously raised allegations related to the cooperative, including the "private diversion of welfare funds for people with disabilities."
Kim Nam-hee said, "Yesterday, parents of people with developmental disabilities from the Korea Child Development Social Cooperative held a tearful press conference." She added, "The parents held the conference to express their hurt and suffering after Joo Jin-woo recently used hateful expressions at a press conference, calling the cooperative a 'straw sucking up taxpayers' money,' saying it had 'stuffed itself with citizens' taxes,' and describing it as a 'family salary feast,' thereby portraying it as an illegal organization."
However, Kim's remarks were interrupted by protests from the opposition. Lawmakers argued that her comments did not fit the purpose of a procedural motion. A procedural motion refers to remarks raising an objection or expressing an opinion about the method, order, or procedures for conducting a meeting.
The confrontation intensified when the People Power Party raised objections over Seo Young-kyo, chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly, limiting speaking time for lawmakers from both parties. Shouts including "Be quiet," "Make him apologize," "Maintain decorum," and "That's enough" rang out across the hearing room.


During the continuing exchange, Kim Dong-ah of the Democratic Party said to Joo Jin-woo, "You devil." When Joo pointed a finger and asked, "What did you say?" Kim replied, "I said you're a devil. A devil."
Regarding the cooperative operated by the nominee's spouse, Kim Nam-hee argued, "The nominee's vetting must be conducted rigorously, but using children with developmental disabilities who have no power, and their parents, as targets of attack in order to discredit the nominee must stop."
Joo Jin-woo countered, "There are thousands, even tens of thousands, of institutions for children with developmental disabilities across the country." He continued, "The problem is that benefits are concentrated solely among the 20 students at the school where Kim Seung-won's spouse serves as director, and that only Kim Seung-won's family members who receive salaries there are paid. That structure is unjust."


[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter