Choe Min-hee, a supreme council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, called for reform of the party's central leadership after a controversy over Telegram messages sent by Kang Min-koo, former deputy head of the party's ethics inspection unit. "When a particular leadership figure and the deputy head of the ethics inspection unit exchange private Telegram messages talking about 'Jung Chung-rae forces' and even discuss personnel matters, what more needs to be said," Choe said.
Choe made the remarks in a Facebook post on the 2nd, adding, "I have heard many voices pointing to the practice among Democratic Party staff of lining up behind factions."
A news outlet earlier reported on a message Kang sent to Park Sun-won, another supreme council member of the party. The message said, "It appears that Jung Chung-rae forces have moved in to work on this." Party leader Kim Min-seok ordered Kang's immediate dismissal shortly after the report.
"There was no question that things were unfair during the convention period, and there was much concern over poor management of the convention, including a temporary suspension of voting," Choe said. "I wonder whether the Kang Min-koo Telegram messages have confirmed what was really going on."
She added, "The unit hurt most by these Telegram exchanges is the ethics inspection unit. It raises doubts that a body whose lifeblood is fairness and independence could be run on private terms."
Choe said she viewed Kim's swift dismissal of the deputy head positively for now, but pressed further: "How will the doubts about the ethics inspection unit be resolved? Reform of the central leadership is needed so that people can trust that an ethics inspection unit like this will not apply double standards or conduct targeted investigations."
