People Power Party Ethics Committee Sharpening Disciplinary Measures as One Member Resigns

As Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, has expressed his intention to discipline 'problematic conduct,' signs of unrest have emerged, including the resignation of a member of the Central Ethics Committee.

According to People Power Party officials on July 24, it was recently reported that one member of the Central Ethics Committee had resigned. As a result, the number of Central Ethics Committee members dropped from a total of seven to six. The party leadership had recently appointed an additional ethics committee member, but with this resignation, the committee has returned to six members.

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on July 23, 2026. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

The Central Ethics Committee held a general meeting the previous day and established review guidelines regarding about 60 disciplinary requests received before and after the local elections. The committee clarified that simple criticism of the party leader or the party itself does not warrant disciplinary action. However, an exception was made, specifying that if criticism is repeated, organized, and sustained with a particular intent, it may become subject to disciplinary review.

Initially, there was speculation within political circles that the Central Ethics Committee might decide to initiate disciplinary deliberations at its latest plenary meeting. In the midst of this, news of a member's resignation has sparked suggestions that there may be internal differences of opinion within the committee.

There is also speculation inside and outside the party that the leadership may reorganize the Central Ethics Committee to continue discussions on disciplinary matters. According to the current People Power Party bylaws, the Ethics Committee shall be composed of up to nine members appointed by the party leader with the approval of the Supreme Council.

On this day, the Central Ethics Committee stated, "The ethics committee member who recently expressed his intention to resign has found it increasingly difficult to continue his duties due to the burden created after his real name was revealed in media reports," adding, "We express strong regret about certain reports that misrepresented the facts regarding the circumstances and background of the resignation."

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