The Democratic Party files an ethics complaint against Kim Yong-pan over 'Lee Jae-myung gang involvement allegations'... Demands resignation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] On the 19th, the Democratic Party of Korea announced that it would file a complaint against Kim Yongpan, a member of the People Power Party who raised the ‘gangster involvement allegation’ against presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung (current Governor of Gyeonggi Province) at the National Assembly audit, to the National Assembly Ethics Special Committee and demand his resignation. The Ethics Special Committee is responsible for reviewing the qualifications of members and can decide on disciplinary actions or expulsion.

Floor Leader Yoon Hojung stated at the National Assembly audit countermeasure meeting that morning, “Our party will hold Member Kim accountable by filing for his expulsion with the Ethics Committee.”

Floor Leader Yoon raised his voice, saying, “Member Kim, who brought the testimony of a gangster criminal to the audit session and threw out any remarks relying on parliamentary immunity, shows the current level of the People Power Party,” and added, “Parliamentary immunity is not meant for this kind of behavior.”

He continued, “If it ended here, the People Power Party would not have been criticized for putting on a mere school play,” and criticized, “Member Lee Young said that the 5 billion won received by Member Kwak Sang-do’s son was pocket change, which has caused huge public outrage. How can 5 billion won be pocket change? There are even remarks saying 500 million won is 0.1 pocket change.”

At the task force (TF) responding to the ‘Daejang-dong suspicion’ at the party level, calls for Member Kim’s resignation continued. Kim Byungwook, head of the Hwacheon Daeyu Construction Corruption Investigation TF, emphasized at the second meeting that day, “He should not hide behind parliamentary immunity but hold a press conference and undergo investigation with dignity. Otherwise, he should bow his head to the public, apologize, and ask for forgiveness,” and added, “If not, the Democratic Party will demand his resignation and refer Member Kim to the Ethics Committee.”

Floor Spokesperson Han Junho also told reporters after the meeting, “We believe he is unqualified as a member of the National Assembly and plan to file a complaint with the Ethics Committee to demand his resignation.” Spokesperson Han said, “No matter how much parliamentary immunity is granted to a member of the National Assembly, there are things that should never be done,” and added, “He clearly showed what should never be done by a former senior police official.”