Kim Minseok Orders Choi Minhee Referred to Ethics Committee... Disciplinary Action Under Review

Kim Receives Report on Ethics Inspection Team's Findings

Kim Minseok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, has ordered that Choi Minhee, a Supreme Council member, be referred to the party's Ethics Committee over controversy surrounding her remarks and conduct. With reports that the Ethics Inspection Team recommended disciplinary action following its investigation, deliberations are expected on whether to impose sanctions.

Choi Minhee, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, delivers opening remarks at a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on Nov. 6, 2026. Photo by Yoon Dongju

The Democratic Party of Korea said in a statement to the media on Nov. 15 that "Kim received a report on the Ethics Inspection Team's investigation into Supreme Council member Choi and ordered that the case be referred to the Central Party Ethics Committee."

The Ethics Inspection Team, which reports directly to the party leader, submits its investigation findings to the leader and may recommend disciplinary action to the Ethics Committee, depending on the results. The team is reported to have recommended disciplinary action to the Ethics Committee in this case, but the specific level of punishment has not been disclosed. The referral came three days after Kim ordered an immediate ethics investigation into Choi on Nov. 12.

Choi recently sparked controversy by referring to photo and video journalists covering the National Assembly as a "pack of hyenas" in a group chat involving local party members from her constituency.

Last month, a report also said that at a closed-door meeting in her constituency, Choi had said that President Lee Jae-myung, while serving as party leader, opposed impeaching former President Yoon Suk Yeol and sought to push for his resignation.

In response, Choi said on Facebook and other platforms, "After the insurrection, the president consistently called for Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment and saw it through," adding, "I had some things confused."

The Central Party Ethics Committee has nine members, including its chair, and the party constitution and regulations require that at least half of its members be external figures. A party leadership official said, "Given the nature of the matter, the Ethics Committee may schedule deliberations sooner than usual."

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