The People Power Party's Central Ethics Committee has been reduced to five members following the resignation of two additional committee members amid ongoing internal conflicts. As disciplinary procedures against party members continue, tensions within the ethics committee show no signs of easing.
On August 7, Woo Jong-hwan, the committee's vice chairman, and member Hwang Kyung-sung issued a statement saying, "We are resigning with a heavy heart to take responsibility for the internal strife within the ethics committee."
They explained that during a committee meeting that day, they requested Chairman Yoon Min-woo to resign alongside them, but their request was not accepted. They reiterated their call for Yoon's resignation, stating, "We asked for a joint resignation to restore trust and resolve the committee's dysfunction, but the chairman effectively rejected our request."
Woo and Hwang have previously criticized Yoon's unilateral management of the committee. They raised concerns about the disciplinary processes involving independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon, lawmaker Bae Hyun-jin, and former Supreme Council member Kim Jong-hyuk, alleging that internal documents and decisions were shared with outside individuals prior to the proceedings.
Recently, the People Power Party appointed two new ethics committee members, restoring the committee to a seven-member structure. However, with the latest resignations, the committee has reverted to five members.
Despite the internal turmoil, disciplinary procedures are ongoing. The ethics committee has initiated disciplinary actions against lawmakers Seo Beom-soo and Jin Jong-o for controversial remarks. Additionally, written inquiries have been sent to lawmakers Jo Kyung-tae, Kwon Young-jin, and Jin Jong-o, who are already under investigation.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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