Democratic Party to File Complaint Against Rep. Joo Jin-woo
The Democratic Party of Korea has decided to file a criminal complaint against People Power Party Rep. Joo Jin-woo on charges of falsely exposing allegations about First Lady Kim Hye-kyung's golfing. The Democratic Party plans to proceed with the complaint process after review by its legal committee.
Chief Spokesperson Park Sung-joon, speaking to reporters after the Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly on the 28th, criticized the lawmaker, saying, "He claims he has no intention to apologize, which is absurd. Politicians like this should be driven out of politics."
The conflict arose when Rep. Joo held a press conference at the National Assembly communication hall in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 27th, calling for a special inspector's investigation into the First Lady's alleged "emperor-level golf" and claiming that professional golfer Lydia Ko of New Zealand had played golf with her. When Lydia Ko pushed back, warning of legal action, Joo's office revised part of the video. However, when asked whether he intended to apologize, he refused, calling it a "Democratic Party framing to dilute the issue."
The Democratic Party's criticism extended beyond Rep. Joo personally to the People Power Party leadership. Chief Spokesperson Park said, "The People Power Party leadership seems to be a complete mess. What are they doing about Rep. Joo, who spreads fake news?" She added, "They referred lawmakers who resisted Chairman Jang Dong-hyuk to the ethics committee for discipline, yet not a single word about Rep. Joo's outrageous conduct. Is the Jang Dong-hyuk leadership a living leadership, or is it a dead one?" The Democratic Party took issue with the People Power Party's double standard of disciplining the resistance faction while turning a blind eye to those raising false allegations.
The criticism continued at the Supreme Council meeting. Supreme Council member Seo Mi-hwa emphasized that political and legal accountability is needed, saying, "How long must we tolerate people like Joo Jin-woo, who stalk the president and his wife illegally, tarnish their honor, lie every time they open their mouths, and then suddenly drag Lydia Ko into it?" Supreme Council member Jeon Yong-gi said, "Parliamentary immunity does not protect videos posted on YouTube and social media. The person who deserves an apology is not the Democratic Party but Lydia Ko, who was named through no fault of her own."
