Parliament under fire over vote on Kang

GNP’s ‘sexist’ lawmaker survives closed-door expulsion vote


National Assembly lawmakers have come under fire for holding a rare closed-door vote and saving a lawmaker who made controversial remarks about women from expulsion.

Independent Rep. Kang Yong-seok, who was kicked out of the Grand National Party for his remarks, and had been expected to be ousted from parliament, escaped the disgrace of becoming the first lawmaker ever to be dismissed for an ethics violation.

The parliamentary meeting failed to meet the required quorum to pass the ethics committee’s motion on Wednesday. Only 111 out of the 186 lawmakers present voted for the bill, while 198, or two-thirds, were needed.

As soon as the bill was voted down, the vice floor leaders of the GNP and main opposition Democratic Party submitted a second bill to suspend Kang for a month. This softer alternative was easily passed, with 158 out of 186 lawmakers approving it.

Though the Seoul Western District Court sentenced him to a suspended jail term of six months, Kang will keep his elected position until the penalty is confirmed by the Supreme Court.

Kang became the target of criticism last July after making inappropriate remarks about anchorwomen and women in general during a meeting with university students.

“The people expected Rep. Kang to be expelled but the National Assembly only proved its level of perspective regarding human rights and gender equity,” said an official of the Korean Women’s Association United.

“Kang should step down immediately, instead of holding on to his remaining term.”

The Korea Announcers’ Association also lashed back and pledged to take legal action.

It was not, however, just the decision which angered the public and human rights civic groups.

As soon as parliamentary speaker Rep. Park Hee-tae called the meeting to order, reporters and civic group members were asked to leave the hall.

The live broadcasting cameras in the hall were also turned off, an action rarely taken in the parliament.

The audience protested that it is not customary to hold a general meeting in private but officials cited the parliamentary act clause stating that discussion on disciplinary actions may be closed-door.

Before the secret ballot, GNP lawmaker and former parliamentary speaker Rep. Kim Hyeong-o made a speech in defense of Kang, who was a member of the party before he was expelled last September.

“Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her,” he cited a passage from the Bible.

“If this case meets the requirements of expulsion, then who among us are to remain in the parliament?”

Kim’s words gained general support from the GNP seats, said Rep. Lee Jung-hee, chairperson of the minority Democratic Labor Party, on her Twitter.

“The GNP sided with its former member and gave Kang a pardon which he does not deserve,” said Rep. Hong Young-pyo, floor spokesperson of the main opposition Democratic Party.

“It thus ignored the people’s demand to eradicate sexual harassment and discrimination.”

The DLP also claimed that the dissenting votes were mostly cast by GNP members.

Some observers, however, criticized that the opposition camp has not been active in taking disciplinary action against Kang.

Despite the public sentiment after Kang made his controversial remarks last July, it was only in May this year that the parliamentary ethics committee voted in favor of his expulsion.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)