Five opposition lawmakers and their aides have been indicted for brandishing a hammer and other implements at the National Assembly and assaulting or insulting governing party lawmakers.
The indictment comes about six months after they clashed with lawmakers from the governing Grand National Party (GNP) over the attempted ratification of a free trade agreement with the United States on Dec. 18. To block GNP lawmakers from tabling the FTA deal at a subcommittee of the Assembly, opposition lawmakers used a hammer and other tools to destroy a door to the panel room, which had been occupied and barricaded by GNP lawmakers.
During the clash, there was scuffling, individuals were grabbed by the collar and insulting words were traded.
The indictment is unprecedented, even though there have been numerous cases of violence in the Assembly over the last 60 years. The opposition parties denounced the prosecution for what they call politically motivated legal action. The violent scenes were featured in major daily newspapers worldwide.
Among the indicted ― without physical detention ― are Rep. Moon Hak-jin of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) and Rep. Lee Jung-hee of the minor opposition Democratic Labor Party (DLP) on charges of damaging public property. DP lawmaker Kang Gi-jung was indicted for obstructing the execution of duty, and GNP lawmaker Cho Won-jin for violence.
Some footage of the event:
2 comments:
Ah, dang. The best part about Korean politics are the rough-and-tumbles in Parliment. Sure hope this little indictment doesn't stop the fun! (read sarcasm here)
Does anyone else see a trend between he "adults" and the children?
Temper tantrums, rowdiness, immaturity, inability to accept adverse circumstances... in general (I'll say it again) immaturity.
I guess that is what happens when you live with your mother your whole life, then get married to someone who is forced to act like your mother.
No seriously, I might try to get some research going on cultures that harbor children in the parent's house until marriage and its effect on decision making ability or something.
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