Prosecutors seek prison terms for opposition lawmakers over 2019 Assembly scuffle

Rep. Na Kyung-won of the People Power Party heads to the podium to deliver her remarks on current issues at the National Assembly in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

Prosecutors on Monday requested prison sentences for nearly a dozen lawmakers affiliated with the predecessor of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) over their alleged involvement in a physical altercation at the National Assembly in 2019.

The Seoul Southern District Court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on Nov. 20, more than six years after the incident took place.

Prosecutors requested a two-year sentence for Rep. Na Kyung-won of the PPP, who served as the floor leader of the then main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) at the time.

A 10-month prison term and a fine of 2 million won ($1,440) were sought for Rep. Song Eon-seog, the current PPP floor leader.

Prosecutors also sought a year-and-a-half prison term for Hwang Kyo-ahn, former leader of the LKP.

In April 2019, the then ruling Democratic Party of Korea, in cooperation with minor opposition blocs, including the center-right Bareunmirae Party, sought to fast-track a package of reform bills. Among the key bills was legislation aimed at establishing an independent agency to investigate corruption involving high-ranking government officials.

Members of the LKP fiercely resisted the move, physically attempting to block the legislative process. The conflict escalated when Rep. Chae Yi-bae of the Bareunmirae Party was confined in his office for five hours by LKP members.

Following the incident, rival parties filed a total of 18 complaints against each other, involving charges such as assault, obstruction of business and defamation.

During Monday's hearing, Na denied the allegations, arguing that the clash over the fast-track legislation did not constitute illegal violence, but rather was part of routine and legitimate political activity.