Violent Lawmakers Could Face Arrest

By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter

Justice Minister Kim Kyung-han said Tuesday anyone interfering in or obstructing the legislative activities of lawmakers will be arrested and face criminal prosecution.

In an unscheduled report to the Cabinet, the minister said the government has tried to respect the authority and autonomy of the National Assembly, but unprecedented cases such as a citizen attacking a lawmaker or party members using violence against lawmakers would no longer be tolerated.

He did not specify whether lawmakers would be arrested for using violence in the National Assembly. But a ministry official said anyone, regardless of status, would face stern legal action.

The minister issued the warning after a series of violent incidents. Rep. Chun Yeo-ok of the ruling Grand National Party was hospitalized after sustaining scratches and bruises in an alleged tussle with female members of a civic group last Friday inside the National Assembly, and some members of the main opposition Democratic Party were alleged to have injured Rep. Cha Myeong-jin, also of the GNP, during a standoff over the deliberation of media bills at a National Assembly committee.

``Such violence is against parliamentary democracy. It is a disgrace to the nation and most of all, an illegality that is challenging constitutional democracy. Such rampages give even more stress to Koreans, who are now suffering from the global economic meltdown,'' he said.

The spokesman said the ruling will be imposed on those involved in December's parliamentary rampage, when lawmakers used violence to challenge discussion of media reform bills. The opposition claims the bills are aimed at allowing the three major conservative dailies to run broadcasting companies.

According to law, those resorting to physical violence in the Assembly are subject to added criminal punishment on charges of contempt of parliament, the ministry said.

``It does not mean that the government will prosecute everyone involved in violence. The minister's remarks are reaffirmations that everyone is equally subject to the law regardless of social or legal status,'' ministry official Han Jeong-jin said.

Public criticism has arisen over slackening order inside the Assembly and violence.

bjs@koreatimes.co.kr