"Proclaiming Undemocratic Unconstitutional Party" Geum Tae-seop's Reconsideration Application... Direct Criticism of the Democratic Party

"Disciplinary Action Contradicts the Values of a Democratic Party"

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop has criticized the Democratic Party through a request for retrial after being disciplined for abstaining from voting on the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office establishment bill, which was set as the party's official stance. Geum pointed out that the disciplinary action is unprecedented and particularly unconstitutional. On the afternoon of the 2nd, Geum submitted a retrial request to the Democratic Party Ethics Tribunal.

According to the retrial request obtained by the Korea Times on the 3rd, Geum's side stated regarding the Democratic Party's disciplinary decision, "If there is a party rule that sets as a disciplinary reason that a member of the National Assembly voted against the party's official stance, it itself proclaims an undemocratic and unconstitutional party."

The retrial request included reasons such as △ issues with the application of the 'reason for discipline' regulation △ no precedent of disciplining lawmakers who voted differently from the party stance △ this disciplinary action violates the Constitution and laws △ this discipline violates the Democratic Party's charter △ regret over sending the 'judgment decision' on the day the lawmaker's term ended.

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop Photo by Yonhap News

Geum's side especially emphasized that there has been no case of disciplining lawmakers who voted differently from the party stance. Geum's side questioned, "If voting against the party stance is a disciplinary reason, then is 'not participating' in the vote on a bill set as the party stance also a disciplinary reason?"

Geum said, "If I had not participated in the vote on the 'High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office Act' at that time, there would have been no disciplinary action like this case," and emphasized, "As far as I know, the Central Party Ethics Tribunal has no precedent of disciplining lawmakers who did not attend the vote on a party stance bill during the legislative process."

He also criticized the disciplinary action as potentially unconstitutional. Geum said, "If I had opposed the prosecution reform itself, I could be criticized for taking a different path from the party's values and goals, but being disciplined by our party just for presenting some dissenting opinions on the specific direction of prosecution reform is a measure against the values of a democratic party."

Meanwhile, the party leadership made it clear that there is no plan to revoke Geum's disciplinary action.

Party leader Lee Hae-chan said at a press briefing on the 2nd, "Members can oppose advisory party stances and present their opinions, but mandatory party stances must be enforced," adding, "The Ethics Tribunal's warning is the lowest level of discipline."