Rep. Back Hye-ryun of the Democratic Party of Korea protests after being hit in the face by an egg thrown by a conservative group member during a press conference calling for the swift impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol in front of the Constitutional Court in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

Rep. Back Hye-ryun of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has vowed to take strong legal action after being hit in the forehead by a raw egg thrown by a man presumed to be a supporter of President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The incident occurred during a press conference held in front of the Constitutional Court on Tuesday, where Back was calling for Yoon's impeachment.

“The normalization of violence cannot be overlooked,” Back wrote on Facebook on Thursday, calling the attack “an unacceptable act in a democratic society.” She added, “Social conflict caused by President Yoon's trampling of the constitutional order has become dangerously severe.”

Back warned that the situation has escalated to the point where “hardline supporters of the president are now committing acts of terrorism against lawmakers, who are constitutional institutions, in broad daylight.” She said the incident reflects the growing threat posed by far-right forces and promised to pursue firm legal action.

Back also criticized law enforcement's response, stating, “The authorities' handling was disappointing.” She emphasized that under the Assembly and Demonstration Act, protests or rallies are prohibited within 100 meters of the Constitutional Court. “The police cannot simply stand by while constitutional institutions are attacked by far-right groups,” she said.

Back further urged the Constitutional Court to promptly deliver its ruling on the impeachment trial of Yoon. “Only a swift decision can help heal these societal rifts,” she said. “Political considerations or threats from hardline right-wing groups must not delay the court's decision.”

The DPK issued a statement condemning the attack as “a clear act of violence and terrorism.”

Party spokesperson Ahn Gwi-ryeong said, “What if it had been a weapon instead of an egg? The thought is horrifying.” She expressed concern that forces opposing the president's impeachment could provoke “more violent clashes or even bloodshed than the recent chaos at Seoul Western District Court.”

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.