People Power Party Ethics Committee Decides Not to Even Start Disciplinary Procedures Against Lee Jun-seok and Jo Soo-jin

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] On the 30th, the People Power Party decided not to proceed with disciplinary actions against party leader Lee Jun-seok, Supreme Council member Jo Su-jin, and former lawmaker Kim Yong-nam.

Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, is leaving a hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, after having a lunch meeting with Kim Jong-in, the chairman of the party's election committee, on the 22nd. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

The People Power Party Ethics Committee held a meeting in the evening to discuss disciplinary measures against Leader Lee, Supreme Council member Jo, former lawmaker Kim, and former Seoul City Party Deputy Spokesperson Lee Kyung-min. After the meeting, the Ethics Committee stated in a press release, "We urge the party leadership, including Leader Lee and Supreme Council member Jo, to recall the spirit of putting the party first and personal matters second, actively work to heal internal conflicts, and strive for victory in the presidential election," and resolved to 'not initiate disciplinary proceedings' against the three individuals.

This means that disciplinary procedures will not even be initiated against the three, including Leader Lee.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, the Ethics Committee added, "We acknowledge that the recent internal party issues are the full responsibility of the party and the presidential campaign leadership, and have resolved to take more severe and swift measures should similar ethical issues arise again."

Previously, lawyer Kang Yong-seok from the YouTube channel ‘Garo Sero Research Institute’ filed a complaint with the party Ethics Committee alleging that Leader Lee was involved in a sexual bribery scandal in 2013. Supreme Council member Jo was embroiled in a controversy over ‘insubordination’ during a presidential campaign committee meeting, leading to conflict with Leader Lee and ultimately resigning as the campaign’s public relations director. Former lawmaker Kim raised allegations of misuse of party funds by Leader Lee and was subsequently reported to the Ethics Committee by Lee.

Meanwhile, the Ethics Committee decided to initiate disciplinary procedures against former Seoul Mayor Deputy Spokesperson Lee Kyung-min, who referred to former Korean Women’s Political Network representative Shin Ji-ye, recently recruited as the senior vice chairman of the New Era Preparation Committee directly under candidate Yoon, with the remark, "You can use her a few times and then discard her."