Calls for the Withdrawal of Prime Minister Nominee Kim Min-seok… 'Well-being' Controversy Amid Citizens' Sit-in Protest

Na Kyung-won, a member of the People Power Party, has begun a sit-in protest at the National Assembly, urging the withdrawal of Kim Min-seok's nomination as Prime Minister and the return of the chairmanship of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee to the ruling party.

This has sparked controversy among citizens over "well-being protests," with some criticism directed at ruling party members as well.

On the 28th, Democratic Party lawmaker Park Hong-geun pointed out on his Facebook, "Eating well-being kimbap, drinking Starbucks coffee, and turning on a desk fan because it’s hot… it feels like camping or vacation."

Since the previous afternoon, Na has been continuing his sit-in protest in front of the central hall of the National Assembly. He stated the reason for the protest, saying, "The Democratic Party's parliamentary tyranny and the destruction of cooperation by the Lee Jae-myung administration have gone too far."

Casual Attire with Jeans and Short-sleeved Shirt… Controversy Over Fan and Beverage Photos

Photos of Na during the protest have been shared on his social media and online communities. In the images, Na is seen in a comfortable outfit of jeans and a short-sleeved shirt, using a portable fan and drinking a beverage.

Some in the opposition have criticized this, stating, "A protest that should show resolute will appears more like a vacation."

In comparison, the sit-in protests by citizens calling for the impeachment of former President Yoon Seok-yeol after the December 3 coup attempt took place in sub-zero temperatures. Critics point out that Na's protest seems excessively comfortable compared to that.

"Not a Hunger Strike or an All-Nighter, but a Sit-in Protest… Afflicted by Political Narcissism"

Park criticized, "A sit-in protest that is neither a hunger strike nor an all-nighter is rare," adding, "It’s ironic that someone who supported and defended the insurrection leader Yoon Seok-yeol is now speaking of cooperation. It’s a skill to choose to behave so obnoxiously."

He added, "If one is afflicted by political narcissism, focusing solely on being in the limelight, all remedies are ineffective."

Na has defended former President Yoon after the coup attempt and participated in a rally against the execution of a warrant in front of the presidential residence this past January.

Image source: Instagram 'kyoungwon.na'