A Changwon city councilor who sparked controversy by disparaging pro-democracy movement organizations in South Gyeongsang Province as a "group of parasites" has been referred to prosecutors.
Changwon Jungbu Police Station announced Wednesday that it had referred People Power Party councilor Nam Jae-wook to prosecutors on charges of insult. Police determined that Nam's remarks calling pro-democracy groups in the region a "group of parasites" during a media interview at the Democracy Hall of the Republic of Korea in Masanhappo-gu, Changwon on June 13 constituted criminal insult.
Nam was also found to have sent text messages to leaders of pro-democracy organizations suggesting that "excessive event fees are being demanded, resulting in budget expenditures," according to the investigation.
The pro-democracy organizations filed complaints against Nam on charges including defamation and insult. Police determined that the remarks constituted criminal insult and referred the case to prosecutors.
Jin Hyung-ik, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea's South Gyeongsang Province chapter, condemned Nam in a statement Wednesday, saying "Councilor Nam's remarks are not a simple slip of the tongue or matter of expression, but a serious case of publicly insulting democracy and the history of the pro-democracy movement."
Jin also demanded a formal apology from Rep. Yoon Han-hong, the ruling party lawmaker representing Nam's constituency.
"Recently, Rep. Yoon said that former President Yoon Suk-yeol's martial law declaration was a wrong decision and that an apology was needed," Jin said. "While saying martial law was wrong, he must clearly state whether he will apply the same standards and principles to a city councilor from his constituency who defended that martial law and insulted pro-democracy organizations."
Jin added, "If the apology Rep. Yoon expressed regarding martial law represents genuine reflection and responsibility, it must be followed by a clear position and concrete action. If he says martial law was wrong but remains silent on the words and actions of local politicians, that apology is nothing but empty words."
