Tension with the Representative Side Over Refusal to Take Meeting Minutes
Yang Hee Requests, "Please Do Not Take Photos of Ethics Committee Members"
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] As the People Power Party's Central Ethics Committee began disciplinary deliberations on the 22nd regarding allegations of 'sexual bribery and evidence destruction inducement' against Representative Lee Jun-seok, Kim Cheol-geun, the party leader's chief political secretary, appeared before the Ethics Committee.
Kim entered the Ethics Committee meeting room around 8:30 p.m. to clarify the facts. He told reporters, "I came today as a witness," and added, "I will answer sincerely." Kim is suspected of having met with the whistleblower Jang and written a 700 million won investment memorandum under Representative Lee's instructions.
The Ethics Committee, with 8 of its 9 members present, has been holding the meeting since around 7 p.m. Chairman Lee Yang-hee met with reporters before entering the meeting room and said, "I do not want to say anything else today," adding, "I don't mind being photographed, but I ask that you refrain from taking pictures when other members enter. They are people who need protection."
When asked whether the disciplinary results for Representative Lee would be announced today, Chairman Lee gave no response and entered the meeting room.
At the beginning of the meeting, a tense exchange occurred between Representative Lee's side and the Ethics Committee regarding the meeting minutes. Lee's side, which had initially requested the meeting to be open, raised concerns early on that no minutes were being taken. However, Chairman Lee, who briefly stepped out into the hallway during the meeting, explained to reporters, "The staff are currently preparing them."
Representative Lee is monitoring the situation while waiting in the party leader's office on the 2nd floor of the National Assembly main building during the Ethics Committee meeting.
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