Yoo Ethics Committee Begins Disciplinary Review of Lee Jun-seok... Kim Cheol-geun Attends

Chulgeun Kim Suspected of Attempting Evidence Tampering
Kim "I Will Respond Sincerely"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Hyun-ji] The People Power Party's Ethics Committee began disciplinary deliberations on July 7 regarding party leader Lee Jun-seok's alleged "sexual bribery and evidence destruction instruction," with Kim Cheol-geun, the party leader's political secretary, appearing before the Ethics Committee.

Kim, dressed in a black suit, entered the Ethics Committee meeting room set up at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, around 8 p.m. Before entering, he told reporters, "I appeared as a witness last time, but today I was suddenly summoned again," adding, "I will answer sincerely."

Kim, a close aide to Lee, is suspected of issuing a 700 million won investment promissory note to Jang, the whistleblower of the sexual bribery allegations, and attempting to destroy evidence.

Kim was originally scheduled to appear at 7:30 p.m. to explain the related allegations, but entered 30 minutes late due to delays in the Ethics Committee's schedule.

The Ethics Committee, with eight of its nine members present, has been holding a meeting since 7 p.m. that day. Before the meeting began, Ethics Committee Chairperson Lee Yang-hee told reporters, "Statements such as this being a disciplinary action planned by Yoon's core supporters, a witch hunt-style discipline, or that the party leader has the authority to disband the Ethics Committee are very inappropriate," adding, "The Ethics Committee members will deliberate and judge the matter rationally based solely on social norms and standards, without considering any political interests."