Lee Jun-seok's De Facto Expulsion Process... What Impact Will the 'Court Ruling' Have?

Discussion on Three Severe Disciplinary Measures: 3-Year Party Membership Suspension, Resignation Recommendation, and Expulsion
'Expulsion Scenario' Becoming Realistic... Could Send Negative Signals to the Court

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Geum Bo-ryeong] The People Power Party's Ethics Committee has initiated additional disciplinary procedures against former party leader Lee Jun-seok, effectively moving toward expulsion. However, there are concerns that Lee's expulsion could work against the ruling party in future legal battles.

According to the ruling party, on the 19th, the Ethics Committee is seriously considering three disciplinary options for Lee: a three-year suspension of party membership rights, a recommendation to withdraw from the party, or expulsion. Since Lee previously received a six-month suspension, a harsher penalty is inevitable in the additional disciplinary process.

If the Ethics Committee extends the suspension period from six months to three years, Lee will be unable to participate in the next party convention expected in January or February next year. However, avoiding the extreme measure of expulsion would somewhat reduce the political burden.

On the other hand, recommending withdrawal or expulsion essentially amounts to expulsion. A recommendation to withdraw means that if the individual does not leave the party within 10 days, they are automatically expelled, which has the same effect as expulsion but is not the highest level of discipline, thus reducing political pressure. This is considered the most likely option.

However, moving toward expulsion could negatively affect public perception of the ruling party's internal conflicts. Moreover, since the current situation resembles the 'expulsion scenario' Lee himself predicted, it could impose political pressure not only on the ruling party but also on President Yoon Suk-yeol. Lee had predicted that the ruling party would move to expel him to coincide with President Yoon's overseas trip.

Regarding Lee's 'expulsion scenario,' Kim Jong-hyuk, a member of the Emergency Response Committee, appeared on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs' and said, "When reports came out that the Ethics Committee would be held, I asked, 'What is going on?' but Emergency Committee Chairman Jeong Jin-seok didn't seem to know." He added, "Lee suggested that the Ethics Committee was coordinating with the police to proceed 'step by step,' but I doubt that is possible."

Opinions are divided on the impact Lee's expulsion might have on the court's judgment. Some within the party optimistically expect that Lee, once expelled, will lack 'party membership standing,' leading to dismissal of his injunction. However, among the 'pro-Lee Jun-seok faction,' there is analysis that the court might view this as a 'serious challenge.' Former Supreme Council member Kim Yong-tae appeared on MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and said, "If the Ethics Committee proceeds with expulsion, it will naturally affect the ongoing third and fourth injunctions, and the court might consider that the Ethics Committee has manipulated evidence in the ongoing case."

Since the Ethics Committee meeting on the 18th, Lee has continued to attack the committee through his social network service (SNS). He created a phrase using the initials of the Ethics Committee to directly target it, saying, "They will take reckless actions for the benefit of the 'Yunhakkwan' (pro-Yoon faction)." Upon news of the disciplinary procedure initiation, he referenced 'Article 19 of the UN Human Rights Norms,' emphasizing 'freedom of expression.' In response, Hong Joon-pyo, Mayor of Daegu, countered, "There is freedom of expression in politics, but there is also freedom to discipline."