On October 13, lawmakers clashed during a National Assembly hearing of the Ministry of Health and Welfare over the selection of witnesses related to allegations involving Kim Seung-won, a former candidate for Minister of Justice, and the Genensel clinical trial. The hearing was temporarily suspended after members of the ruling People Power Party displayed protest signs, prompting the opposition Democratic Party to demand their removal.
During the morning session, People Power Party lawmakers affixed signs to their laptops with messages such as "The truth that must be revealed to the public, can’t we call key witnesses?"
Democratic Party lawmaker Seo Young-seok criticized the signs, stating, "This is not something agreed upon between the parties. It is inappropriate to turn the National Assembly hearing into a platform for political attacks." He called for their removal.
In response, opposition lawmaker Baek Jong-heon of the People Power Party questioned the Democratic Party's refusal to select witnesses. He remarked, "I hope you reflect on why you brought signs to the hearing. Instead of being uncomfortable with the signs, you should be uncomfortable with a hearing lacking key witnesses."
He added, "The witnesses requested by the People Power Party are individuals who can answer questions about the approval process for the Genensel clinical trial and why the National Pension Service delayed its rebalancing, which the public wants to know. They were not selected due to the Democratic Party's opposition."
As Democratic lawmakers continued to demand the removal of the signs, tensions escalated between the two parties, leading to a 10-minute suspension of the hearing. The session resumed after the People Power Party members removed their signs.
Chairman Lee Man-hee of the People Power Party stated, "There were claims from both sides regarding witnesses, references, and the issue of sign placement. I hope the party leaders can reach an agreement to proceed with the hearing."
After the resumption, the approval process for Genensel's clinical trials and the submission of materials by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety became key points of contention.
During the morning session, People Power Party lawmakers affixed signs to their laptops with messages such as "The truth that must be revealed to the public, can’t we call key witnesses?"
Democratic Party lawmaker Seo Young-seok criticized the signs, stating, "This is not something agreed upon between the parties. It is inappropriate to turn the National Assembly hearing into a platform for political attacks." He called for their removal.
In response, opposition lawmaker Baek Jong-heon of the People Power Party questioned the Democratic Party's refusal to select witnesses. He remarked, "I hope you reflect on why you brought signs to the hearing. Instead of being uncomfortable with the signs, you should be uncomfortable with a hearing lacking key witnesses."
He added, "The witnesses requested by the People Power Party are individuals who can answer questions about the approval process for the Genensel clinical trial and why the National Pension Service delayed its rebalancing, which the public wants to know. They were not selected due to the Democratic Party's opposition."
As Democratic lawmakers continued to demand the removal of the signs, tensions escalated between the two parties, leading to a 10-minute suspension of the hearing. The session resumed after the People Power Party members removed their signs.
Chairman Lee Man-hee of the People Power Party stated, "There were claims from both sides regarding witnesses, references, and the issue of sign placement. I hope the party leaders can reach an agreement to proceed with the hearing."
After the resumption, the approval process for Genensel's clinical trials and the submission of materials by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety became key points of contention.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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