Kim Jong-in "Lee Jun-seok Disciplinary Action? Cannot Make Vague Judgments Without Evidence"

"If Lee Jun-seok is disciplined, it will have a fatal impact on the People Power Party"
"The party image has improved significantly, but it will return to Saenuri Party"

Former Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, Kim Jong-in. / Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Kim Jong-in, former Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, commented on the party ethics committee's disciplinary discussions regarding Lee Jun-seok's sexual bribery allegations, stating, "There is no clear evidence in the process of disciplining the party leader. It is not possible to judge vaguely based on dignity or something like that." He predicted that it would not be easy for the ethics committee to make a disciplinary decision against Lee, nor should they do so.

On the 22nd, Kim appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and argued, "(The ethics committee) should make a judgment only after securing accurate evidence. Since the police investigation is not yet complete, I believe the ethics committee cannot make a judgment until it concludes."

He pointed out, "Judgment should be made after accurate evidence is secured, but the current situation appears to the public as an internal power struggle within the People Power Party, which cannot be seen as positive for the party's future."

He continued, "If Lee is actually disciplined, it will likely have a fatal impact on the party," adding, "Because Lee became the party leader at a young age, he gave hope that the party could change from the past, but now that hope is disappearing. It is a return to the old Saenuri Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party)." He also said, "If the party looks like that, we cannot look forward to the next general election."

Kim also positively evaluated Lee, saying, "Although his political career is only about 10 years, it is true that he has significantly improved the party's image since becoming the leader."

Meanwhile, the ethics committee meeting regarding Lee's sexual bribery allegations is scheduled for 7 p.m. on the 22nd at the National Assembly main building. This is the first time a disciplinary case against a sitting party leader has been formally referred to the ethics committee in the People Power Party and its predecessor parties.