PPP Ethics Committee Launches Disciplinary Proceedings for Seo Beomsoo, Jin Jongoh; Confusion Deepens with Two Resignations

Disciplinary Proceedings Begin for 'Roundhouse Kick' Remarks


Ethics Committee Turmoil Deepens as Two Members Resign


People Power Party Draws the Line: "Not Our Place to Get Involved in the Dispute"

The Central Ethics Committee of the People Power Party initiated disciplinary procedures on August 7 against Representatives Seo Beomsoo and Jin Jongoh, who recently stirred controversy with their so-called “roundhouse kick” remarks. Despite ongoing turmoil—such as the vice chair and a member of the Ethics Committee announcing their intention to resign and the committee returning to a five-member system—the disciplinary process continued without interruption.

The Central Ethics Committee reached this decision at its 17th plenary session held that day. Previously, Representatives Seo and Jin drew criticism after an exchange perceived as encouraging a “roundhouse kick” during a National Assembly forum on August 4. The forum discussed revisions to the Criminal Procedure Act and was attended by Kim Jinju (an alias), the victim of the Busan roundhouse kick incident.

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

During the meeting, the Central Ethics Committee also resolved to send written inquiries for fact-finding investigations to Representatives Jin, Cho Kyungtae, and Kwon Youngjin, who were already under disciplinary review. Even amid internal and external unrest stemming from allegations against Chairman Yoon Minwoo and infighting within the committee, the disciplinary proceedings were accelerated.

The committee’s moves align with the party leadership's hardline response. At a Supreme Council meeting the previous day, the leadership called on the Central Ethics Committee to take stern action against Representatives Seo and Jin. The leadership also recommended that Representative Kwon voluntarily leave the party, demonstrating a firm stance in response to recent misconduct by lawmakers.

However, since the disciplinary discussions are focused on non-mainstream and pro-Yoon lawmakers, internal factional strife within the party appears to be reigniting. The non-mainstream faction has raised questions about the fairness and procedural legitimacy of the committee, alleging that Chairman Yoon Minwoo consulted with a former external ethics committee member about disciplinary cases.

Internal discord within the Central Ethics Committee is deepening. After the meeting, Vice Chair Woo Jonghwan and member Hwang Kyungseong issued a statement declaring their intention to resign, stating, “We wish to step down with a heavy sense of responsibility.”
They had asked for a collective resignation, which Chairman Yoon rejected.
They further urged Chairman Yoon “to make a dignified choice on his own.”

Vice Chair Woo and member Hwang left the meeting after voting on the resolution to send inquiries regarding Representatives Jin, Cho, and Kwon. The subsequent vote to launch disciplinary procedures against Representatives Seo and Jin appears to have been carried out by the remaining five committee members, rather than the full seven-member panel.

The People Power Party stated that, given the independence of the Central Ethics Committee, it is difficult to intervene in internal disputes. Chief Spokesperson Park Choongkwon told reporters that day, “The leadership is neither aware of nor tracking internal matters within the Ethics Committee. It is not our place to be involved in those issues.”

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