PPP Ethics Committee Opens Disciplinary Proceedings Against Three Lawmakers

The People Power Party's (PPP) Central Ethics Committee opened disciplinary proceedings against lawmakers Jin Jong-oh, Cho Kyoung-tae, and Kwon Young-jin on the 27th.

The party's ethics committee reached the decision at a plenary meeting held that day. Rep. Jin faces allegations that he supported independent Rep. Han Dong-hoon during the June 3 local elections. Rep. Cho was referred to the ethics committee over allegations that he refused to accept the results of an intra-party vice-chairman primary and made calls to lawmakers from other parties, including the Democratic Party of Korea, urging them to vote against National Assembly Vice Speaker Park Duk-hyum. Rep. Kwon became subject to disciplinary review over an incident in which he grabbed floor leader Chung Jom-sik by the collar in protest of the results of National Assembly standing committee assignments.

While there had been speculation that incumbent lawmakers who had criticized PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok would also be included among the disciplinary targets, they were ultimately excluded. The ethics committee had stated that it "made clear that simple criticism of the party leader or the party is, in principle, not subject to disciplinary action."

The ethics committee had previously held two plenary meetings after the June 3 local elections, but was unable to reach a resolution due to the absence of some committee members. However, with two members recently resigning amid internal conflict within the ethics committee, the total number of members fell from seven to five. Although some members, including Deputy Chairman Woo Jong-hwan, were absent from the meeting that day, three members, including Ethics Committee Chairman Yoon Min-woo, attended, meeting the quorum.