Minor opposition lawmaker dragged out of hall after telling Yoon to 'change his policies'

Commotion erupted Thursday as minor progressive Jinbo Party lawmaker Rep. Kang Sung-hee was dragged out of a venue in Jeonju, Jeonbuk State, after telling President Yoon Suk Yeol to change his policies.

He was physically removed during a ceremony at Moak Hall at Sori Arts Center in Jeonju by the president's four bodyguards after he "did not let go of the handshake with Yoon and shouted at him," according to a source at the presidential office who declined to be named. Kang was forced out of the venue because he "continued to shout, which the bodyguards perceived as a threat to the president's security," according to the source.

The commotion took place as Yoon and politicians were attending the ceremony to celebrate the launch of Jeonbuk State, formerly known as North Jeolla Province, as a special law giving the region the autonomy to foster new industries came into effect Thursday.

Son Sol, a Jinbo Party spokesperson, said Yoon's bodyguards rushed in and covered Kang's mouth, lifted his arms and legs and dragged him to throw him out of the venue of the ceremony, which Son described as "forcing him out by violence," amounting to "a sacrilegious act for the legislature and arrogant act of disregarding the people."

Kang said, after being forcibly removed from the venue, that he had merely urged Yoon to "change his policies" to prevent further citizen distress. The presidential security team's treatment of an elected assembly member in such a manner is utterly absurd, he added.

When asked to respond to criticisms about the bodyguards' actions, the source from the presidential office said they had no choice, considering they saw the act as potentially harmful to the participants of the ceremony.

Kang, 51, represents a constituency in Jeonju, capital of Jeonbuk State, and is the only member of the National Assembly from the Jinbo Party.