People Power Party Initiates Full-Scale Disciplinary Politics... Party Affairs Audit and Ethics Committees Activated

"Disciplinary Actions Are Steps to Restore Party Discipline"

The People Power Party has officially set in motion the activities of the party's Inspection Committee and the Central Ethics Committee regarding internal misconduct, signaling the start of disciplinary politics that had been postponed due to the 9th Nationwide Local Elections. Disciplinary action within the party is now gaining full momentum.

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 6th.

On the morning of July 6, the People Power Party held a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly and decided to conduct a comprehensive investigation by the Central Party Inspection Committee regarding issues that arose during the election of local council leadership. The party stated that this measure aims to address several reported cases in which its own members colluded with members of the Democratic Party during speaker elections in certain local councils, such as in Pohang, resulting in a disorganized process.

Chief Spokesperson Park Sunghoon told reporters after the meeting, "During the course of the local elections, many issues related to the election of council leadership in some city and provincial councils—especially at the basic level—have been reported to the Central Party. We are taking this matter very seriously," adding, "After assessing the actual situation through the full-scale investigation by the Inspection Committee, we will implement strict and appropriate measures accordingly."

Chief Spokesperson Park further explained, "Since this issue is closely tied to party discipline, there was a shared consensus among Supreme Council members that it cannot be overlooked." He added that Floor Leader Jeong Jeom-sik also mentioned the need for disciplinary action. He continued, "Some Supreme Council members also referred to similar misconduct by our party members during the election of the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, pointing out that such incidents are also occurring within the National Assembly." The member in question appears to be Assemblyman Cho Kyungtae.

The People Power Party maintains that all actions taken by the Inspection Committee are part of a process to restore party discipline. However, with the Central Ethics Committee also beginning a full-scale discussion of disciplinary requests related to such misconduct on this day, concerns have emerged about the intensification of disciplinary politics within the party. There is also speculation inside and outside the party that the Ethics Committee may target pro-Han Donghoon lawmakers—those who supported Han Donghoon, the independent candidate, during the Busan Buk-gap by-election.

There are differing opinions about whether disciplinary action will actually be possible. Assemblyman Choi Hyoungdoo of the People Power Party said on KBS's "Breaking Issues" program that day, "In reality, the mood among lawmakers, senior party members, and even Supreme Council members identified as pro-leadership is very cautious regarding this issue (Ethics Committee disciplinary action)." He predicted, "Even if a case is submitted to the Ethics Committee, it will be difficult for the committee to impose disciplinary action on the lawmakers."

The Central Ethics Committee plans to discuss later in the afternoon whether to discipline members for misconduct reported before and after the 9th Nationwide Local Elections. Chief Spokesperson Park said, "At this stage, the Ethics Committee is reviewing dozens of disciplinary requests submitted by party members regarding such misconduct," adding, "When the disciplinary process will begin and what scope and severity will be decided are matters for the Ethics Committee to determine independently."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.