Han Byung-do says Democratic Party officials' remarks fell short of public expectations
In short
Democratic Party floor leader Han Byung-do (한병도) said on 20 October at a National Assembly meeting on the parliamentary audit that he felt great responsibility as floor leader for party officials' remarks falling short of public expectations. Newsis linked this to recent controversies over remarks by party figures including Gyeonggi governor Choo Mi-ae.
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Han Byung-do (한병도), floor leader of the Democratic Party, said on 20 October that he felt great responsibility as floor leader for the conduct of party public officials, which he said fell short of public expectations. He spoke at the party's meeting on the parliamentary audit at the National Assembly in Seoul, according to Seoul Economic Daily and Newsis. [ 2 , 3 ]
According to Newsis and Dong-A Ilbo, Han said that public anger and disappointment were growing because of politicians' recent gaffes. He said the Democratic Party must never forget for a moment that it is the ruling party bearing unlimited responsibility for running the country together with the Lee Jae-myung government, and that it must return to its original resolve. He said he would add responsibility to every word and action and begin with himself, taking a lower and more humble stance, listening to the public and working only to improve people's livelihoods. [ 3 , 5 ]
Newsis said the remarks came after repeated controversies over statements by party figures including Gyeonggi governor Choo Mi-ae (추미애). Dong-A Ilbo described Han's remarks as an apology and said he bowed his head. [ 3 , 5 ]
Dong-A Ilbo reported that Choo said at the Gyeonggi provincial audit on the 13th that firefighting was like the biggest headache, a fiscal straw. It said she later apologized at the funeral altar of the late fire lieutenant Kim Jin-seok (김진석), who died at a fire scene, and at the audit hall, but drew more criticism for saying "since you want an apology". [ 5 ]
According to Dong-A Ilbo, the day before, Democratic Party lawmaker Boo Seung-chan (부승찬) defended Choo, saying that although firefighters are national civil servants, local governments bear about 90 percent of firefighting personnel and support costs. Party leader Kim Min-seok (김민석) gave Boo a stern warning that day and ordered the party's ethics tribunal to investigate how the remarks came about. On 20 October, Kim apologized on the party's official YouTube channel and said it would be better to be more careful with words and actions. [ 5 ]
Seoul Economic Daily's photo captions also said Han told the meeting he would introduce an "ultra-wide-area special zone bill". The documents give no further details of the bill. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The documents show the governing party's floor leader publicly acknowledging public anger over remarks by party officials during the parliamentary audit period. The coverage comes from business outlets only and gives no further consequences.
Key facts
- Han Byung-do, floor leader of the Democratic Party, spoke on 20 October at the party's meeting on the parliamentary audit at the National Assembly. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- Han said he felt great responsibility as floor leader because the conduct of Democratic Party public officials did not meet public expectations. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- He said public anger and disappointment were growing because of politicians' recent gaffes. [ 3 , 5 ]
- He said the party is the ruling party bearing unlimited responsibility for running the country together with the Lee Jae-myung government. [ 3 , 5 ]
- Newsis tied the remarks to recent controversies over statements by party figures including Gyeonggi governor Choo Mi-ae. [ 3 ]
- Dong-A Ilbo reported that party leader Kim Min-seok had also warned the party to be more careful with words and actions. [ 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- At the 20 October meeting on the parliamentary audit, Han said he felt great responsibility as floor leader for Democratic Party officials' remarks and conduct falling short of public expectations. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- Han said the Democratic Party must return to its original resolve and bear unlimited responsibility for running the country with the Lee Jae-myung government. [ 3 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- Details of the Choo Mi-ae and Boo Seung-chan remarks and of Kim Min-seok's response. Only Dong-A Ilbo describes them; Newsis only mentions Choo's remark controversy in general terms.
- The "ultra-wide-area special zone bill" Han said he would introduce. Only a photo caption from Seoul Economic Daily mentions it, with no details.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Asia Economy published a photo of Han speaking at the meeting. [ 1 ]
- Seoul Economic Daily reported Han's statement that he felt great responsibility as floor leader. [ 2 ]
- Newsis published Han's remarks in full. [ 3 ]
- Dong-A Ilbo reported the remarks together with the background of the controversies. [ 5 ]