People Power Party's Kwon Young-jin Reported for Assault After Grabbing Floor Leader's Collar

Physical Altercation Over Committee Assignments:
Floor Leader Grabbed by Kwon Young-jin

Despite Kwon's Apology, Party Pushes for Strict Measures

Kwon Youngjin, a member of the People Power Party, has been reported to the police for using physical force during his protest against the assignment of National Assembly standing committee positions in the second half of this year. The incident included him grabbing the floor leader, Jeong Jeom-sik, by the collar.

The Citizens’ Committee for Public Welfare (called Seominwi) announced on the 26th that it had filed a complaint against Assemblyman Kwon with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on charges of abuse of authority, coercion, and assault under the Criminal Act. In the complaint, Seominwi stated, "Although assault is a crime that generally requires a complaint from the victim to proceed, acts of violence by a member of the National Assembly, who is a public figure representing the people, should not be treated the same as ordinary personal assault cases," and added, "Improper conduct by a National Assemblyman from the main opposition party undermines the public's trust and therefore warrants investigation."

Kwon Youngjin, a member of the People Power Party, is moving after finishing the party meeting held at the National Assembly on June 29. Photo by Yonhap News

Seominwi specifically argued, "At a time when the role of the main opposition party is crucial due to economic and social difficulties, Assemblyman Kwon’s actions have deceived both party members and the public," and called for "swift and thorough investigation, and strict punishment according to the principle of zero tolerance regardless of status if criminal facts are confirmed."

This complaint originated from a scuffle that broke out over the assignment of standing committee posts for the second half of the National Assembly session. On the 23rd, after not being assigned to the committee he had requested, Kwon is reported to have approached the floor leader, Jeong Jeom-sik, and protested vehemently, shouting "Explain the assignment principle!" and "Jeong Jeom-sik, come here!" He is said to have grabbed Jeong by the collar and also grabbed former floor leader Song Eon-seok, who tried to intervene.

As the situation escalated, Assemblyman Kwon issued an apology in the group chat for lawmakers, saying, "Regardless of the reasons, this was my shortcoming and mistake," and stated that he would not take on the position of the next Daegu Party Chapter Chairman.

However, the party leadership contends that an apology alone is not enough. Choi Sujin, Chief Deputy Spokesperson for the party floor, said at the National Assembly the previous day, "Grabbing the floor leader by the collar and grabbing the former floor leader who tried to intervene is an act of violence," adding, "We have requested strong measures." Regarding whether to initiate disciplinary action by the party’s central ethics committee, she responded, "As an independent body, I believe it will make its own judgment on the case." Chief Spokesperson Park Sunghoon also explained that "when a disciplinary request is submitted, strict action will be taken in accordance with the party constitution and bylaws."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.