The Ethics Committee of the People Power Party summoned four incumbent lawmakers on August 18 to hear their opinions regarding ongoing disciplinary procedures at the party's headquarters in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul.
After attending the committee meeting, lawmaker Jung Kyung-tae spoke with reporters, stating, "There were discussions suggesting I contested the primary results. I emphasized that I aimed to uphold the Constitution and democracy of South Korea."
Earlier, Jung was reported to the Ethics Committee for allegedly urging fellow lawmakers to vote against his primary opponent, Park Deok-heum, during the election for the National Assembly vice speaker in May.
Jung expressed hope for a swift decision from the committee, saying, "If the party decides on a severe penalty, I will have no choice but to respect that. However, I believe the ethical committee members will evaluate and judge this matter correctly, given their sense of fairness."
On the same day, lawmaker Jin Jong-o engaged in a tense exchange with the Ethics Committee regarding his request to disqualify certain committee members. Jin's team claimed that despite the party rules stating that such requests should be submitted in writing, the committee suggested verbal submissions were acceptable.
Jin expressed dissatisfaction, stating, "The committee did not provide sufficient time to submit the disqualification request, asking if I would respond by 3:40 PM or if they should take my silence as a refusal. I found this approach, which implied 'You have done wrong, so accept the judgment today,' very regrettable." He also mentioned feeling uncomfortable with comments from the committee chair implying a lack of understanding of Korean.
Jin stated he would submit the disqualification request by midnight.
Jin was reported to the Ethics Committee for supporting a rival candidate during the by-election in Busan and for making inappropriate jokes with lawmaker Seo Beom-soo at a discussion attended by victims of the 'Bus Turnaround' incident. Seo also appeared before the committee to explain the situation.
On that day, a victim of the 'Bus Turnaround' incident, identified by the pseudonym Kim Jin-joo, visited the Ethics Committee to submit a petition requesting leniency for both lawmakers. Kim stated, "This situation has been used as a political tool, leading to secondary harm. Not punishing or disciplining these lawmakers would protect me from further victimization." Kim urged the committee to make a wise decision, saying, "I await the committee's correct choice."
Meanwhile, lawmaker Kwon Young-jin, who was reported to the Ethics Committee after a physical altercation with floor leader Jeong Jeong-sik and former floor leader Song Eon-seok over dissatisfaction with committee assignments, also visited the committee to explain his actions before leaving.
After attending the committee meeting, lawmaker Jung Kyung-tae spoke with reporters, stating, "There were discussions suggesting I contested the primary results. I emphasized that I aimed to uphold the Constitution and democracy of South Korea."
Earlier, Jung was reported to the Ethics Committee for allegedly urging fellow lawmakers to vote against his primary opponent, Park Deok-heum, during the election for the National Assembly vice speaker in May.
Jung expressed hope for a swift decision from the committee, saying, "If the party decides on a severe penalty, I will have no choice but to respect that. However, I believe the ethical committee members will evaluate and judge this matter correctly, given their sense of fairness."
On the same day, lawmaker Jin Jong-o engaged in a tense exchange with the Ethics Committee regarding his request to disqualify certain committee members. Jin's team claimed that despite the party rules stating that such requests should be submitted in writing, the committee suggested verbal submissions were acceptable.
Jin expressed dissatisfaction, stating, "The committee did not provide sufficient time to submit the disqualification request, asking if I would respond by 3:40 PM or if they should take my silence as a refusal. I found this approach, which implied 'You have done wrong, so accept the judgment today,' very regrettable." He also mentioned feeling uncomfortable with comments from the committee chair implying a lack of understanding of Korean.
Jin stated he would submit the disqualification request by midnight.
Jin was reported to the Ethics Committee for supporting a rival candidate during the by-election in Busan and for making inappropriate jokes with lawmaker Seo Beom-soo at a discussion attended by victims of the 'Bus Turnaround' incident. Seo also appeared before the committee to explain the situation.
On that day, a victim of the 'Bus Turnaround' incident, identified by the pseudonym Kim Jin-joo, visited the Ethics Committee to submit a petition requesting leniency for both lawmakers. Kim stated, "This situation has been used as a political tool, leading to secondary harm. Not punishing or disciplining these lawmakers would protect me from further victimization." Kim urged the committee to make a wise decision, saying, "I await the committee's correct choice."
Meanwhile, lawmaker Kwon Young-jin, who was reported to the Ethics Committee after a physical altercation with floor leader Jeong Jeong-sik and former floor leader Song Eon-seok over dissatisfaction with committee assignments, also visited the committee to explain his actions before leaving.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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