Young lawmaker marries during term

Rep. Park Ji-won, left, of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy, officiates a wedding ceremony for Rep. Kim Kwang-jin and his bride, Lee Ye-gang, in a garden behind the National Assembly building, Sunday. / Yonhap

By Kwon Ji-youn

Rep. Kim Kwang-jin, 33, of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) married Lee Ye-gang, 34, in a garden behind the National Assembly building, Sunday.

He is the first lawmaker of the 19th National Assembly to marry during his term.

Some 800 acquaintances including relatives and some 30 fellow lawmakers attended the festivities at which Rep. Park Ji-won of the NPAD officiated. NPAD Co-chairmen Ahn Cheol-soo and Kim Han-gil, as well as floor leader Jun Byung-hun, were also present.

Saenuri Party Chairman Rep. Hwang Woo-yea sent his best wishes with a bouquet, as did Saenuri floor leader Rep. Choi Kyung-hwan.

“Kim is very smart. He has played a significant role in enhancing the status of our party,” Park said. “He will do well in married life.”

Kim is currently the youngest serving lawmaker. His bride, Lee, was recently made vice president of a hotel in Gwangju after working for a securities firm. The two will soon leave for Europe on their honeymoon.