Scores of opposition lawmakers and presidential security guards briefly scuffled inside the National Assembly complex Monday just after President Park Geun-hye made her parliamentary address.
The incident started when several Democratic Party legislators demanded the presidential staff move their vehicles parked in front of the main hall, where they were planning to hold a rally against the government.
According to witnesses, Rep. Kang Gi-jung kicked the door of a bus blocking the entrance and was held down by two Cheong Wa Dae security personnel.
After Kang was restrained, more than 30 DP lawmakers and Cheong Wa Dae officials became entangled for about 10 minutes, during which a security personnel was injured by Kang’s head.
According to the presidential office, the injured man is a police officer and legal measures may be taken against Kang for assault.
Kang, however, denied the accusation, saying that he was in no position to do so as he had been pinned at the neck and waist by a bodyguard.
“(The bodyguards’ actions) were an unforgivable act of assault like Cha Ji-chul with unrestrained power,” Kang said in a briefing.
He was referencing late President Park Chung-hee’s chief of security who was infamous for abusing his power before he was killed along with the former president by then-chief of the National Intelligence Service Kim Jae-gyu in 1979.
By Choi He-suk ()
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
