Joo Ho-young "Kim Seong-won's Remarks Are Appalling... Cannot Avoid Ethics Committee Procedures" (Summary)

Joo Ho-young, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is volunteering for flood recovery in the basement of a building in Sadang-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, which suffered heavy damage due to heavy rain on the 11th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kwon Hyun-ji] Joo Ho-young, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, stated on the 12th that the Ethics Committee procedure is inevitable regarding Rep. Kim Seong-won's 'inappropriate remarks' at the flood damage site, saying, "It is devastating and I cannot hold my head high."

Chairman Joo met with reporters on his way to the National Assembly in the morning and said, "I understand that he will apologize once again this morning and indicate what he plans to do, but it seems unavoidable to go through the Ethics Committee procedure."

Earlier, Rep. Kim drew criticism for saying, "I hope it rains so the photos come out well" during flood relief volunteer activities. Chairman Joo said, "It is a truly incomprehensible remark that caused controversy, and it is devastating to the point that I cannot hold my head high before the public and party members."

Regarding rumors that Rep. Kim would be included in the Emergency Response Committee, he said, "There have been speculations in the media, but they are quite different from the facts. I don't know where they heard it, but people I haven't even considered are being mentioned."

The launch of the Emergency Response Committee is targeted for early next week. Chairman Joo said, "We are shaping the lineup and composition of the committee, and I thought we might be able to do it today, but it seems difficult to convene the Standing National Committee today due to certain circumstances. We are aiming for around the 16th after the holiday."

There is also considerable opposition to Rep. Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader who caused the party split, participating as an ex officio member of the Emergency Response Committee. Regarding this, he said, "According to our party constitution, the Supreme Council members are ex officio, and although the Emergency Response Committee regulations do not specify ex officio members, it seems that no one has ever been excluded so far. Communication with the floor leader is necessary, and there must naturally be someone representing the lawmakers."

Former party leader Lee Jun-seok, who will step down from his position due to the transition to the Emergency Response Committee, plans to hold a press conference on the 13th to express his position. Whether a meeting between Chairman Joo and former leader Lee will take place before then is also a matter of interest. Chairman Joo lamented, "We hope to meet. We have conveyed several times that we would like to meet directly or indirectly, but contact has not been made."

He firmly rejected calls within the party for an 'early party convention.' Chairman Joo said, "During the regular National Assembly session, there will be questions to the government, followed by the audit and then budget formulation. We need to reflect many policies we want to implement in the first year of administration, and holding a party convention under these circumstances would be difficult for the public to accept."