Ulsan Council Member Quits People Power Party Over Drunk Driving

ULSAN — Kim Dae-young, 45, a member of the Ulsan Metropolitan Council who was caught by police driving heavily intoxicated just before the Chuseok holiday, issued a public apology and left the People Power Party.

In a statement on the 30th, Kim said he was under investigation for drunk driving. "I sincerely apologize to the citizens for the disappointment and concern my wrongful conduct has caused," he said. "As someone who has carried out legislative work on the trust of the people, I take this matter all the more seriously." He added: "I have left the People Power Party and will also step down from all posts I currently hold within the council."

Kim also said he would humbly accept whatever action and disciplinary measures the council takes.

Despite Kim's departure from the party, local politicians are pressing hard for him to give up his seat while holding the People Power Party responsible.

The Ulsan chapter of the Democratic Party said in a commentary on the 29th that the case was "a serious crime committed by an elected public official who is supposed to be responsible for citizens' safety and set an example," adding that this was not the first drunk-driving case involving a People Power Party council member.

The chapter pointed to the case of Hong Sung-woo, a People Power Party member of the 8th Ulsan Metropolitan Council, whose license was revoked for drunk driving a month into his term and who was later caught driving without a license for more than two years. The council, then controlled by a People Power Party majority, shielded him with a "warning," the lightest form of discipline, the party said.

"The repeated drunk driving by its council members is a foreseeable disaster produced by the People Power Party's complacent standards and brazen protection of its own," the Democratic Party said. "The People Power Party must apologize to Ulsan citizens without excuses, and the council member in question must take responsibility and resign immediately."

The Ulsan Metropolitan Council plans to take up whether and how severely to discipline Kim at a regular session opening on Nov. 2.

According to Ulsan Dongbu Police Station and other sources, Kim was caught in a police sobriety check at about 9:30 p.m. on the 23rd while driving intoxicated on a road in Ulsan's Dong District. His blood alcohol level at the time was high enough to warrant license revocation.

Police have booked Kim on charges of violating the Road Traffic Act through drunk driving and are investigating the circumstances. Kim was previously given a license suspension for drunk driving in 2013.

"Because the police investigation is under way, it is difficult for me to discuss specifics now," Kim said, bowing his head. "I will cooperate fully with the investigation and fulfill the responsibility that follows. I will reflect deeply and hold myself to a stricter standard."