[Lee Jun-seok Disciplinary Action] Kwon Seong-dong: "Lee Jun-seok's party leader authority suspended immediately upon disciplinary resolution... Floor leader to act as interim"

[Asia Economy Reporter Geum Bo-ryeong] On the 8th, Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the People Power Party, said regarding the disciplinary action by the party's Central Ethics Committee against Lee Jun-seok, "The disciplinary resolution by the Ethics Committee takes effect immediately, suspending the party leader's authority, and the floor leader will act as the interim leader." Accordingly, Kwon is expected to take on the role of acting party leader.

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, attended the party floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 8th. After finishing his remarks, he listened to a fellow lawmaker's speech with a serious expression. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

After the People Power Party's floor countermeasure meeting on the morning of the same day, Kwon met with reporters and said, "If you see (Lee's disciplinary action) as an accident, it is an acting position, and if you see it as a vacancy, it is an authority acting position, according to the report from the staff." He added, "Since the suspension of duties lasts for six months, the majority opinion is that it is correct to interpret it as an accident and view it as an acting system." He also cited the precedent of Kim Soon-rye, a Supreme Council member, who returned after a three-month suspension of party membership rights due to the 5.18 remarks.

When asked whether the acting system would be maintained even if Lee refuses to accept it, he replied, "That is how it is interpreted."

Regarding the possibility of the People Power Party leadership resigning en masse, Kwon said, "I have not yet discussed that matter with the Supreme Council members."

In his opening remarks at the floor countermeasure meeting that morning, Kwon said, "I am well aware of concerns that the party might regress to the past. We will not neglect continuous innovation and effort." He added, "As a ruling party, we will do our best to monitor the public's suffering caused by the economic crisis and prepare countermeasures."

He emphasized, "(Lee Jun-seok's disciplinary action) is a very unfortunate matter from the party's perspective," and said, "It is the duty of party members, including myself, to overcome the party's confusion and heal the wounds. I will prepare to overcome this crisis."