Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok is attending the hearing for the suspension of the People Power Party's party constitution at the Seoul Southern District Court in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, on the 28th. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The People Power Party's Central Ethics Committee decided on the 7th to impose an additional one-year suspension of party membership rights on former leader Lee Jun-seok.
Ethics Committee Chair Lee Yang-hee held a meeting from 7 p.m. the previous day until past midnight and announced through a press briefing, "In addition to the six-month suspension of party membership rights decided on July 8, we have resolved to impose an additional one-year suspension on former leader Lee," adding, "The decision was unanimous without any dissent."
This is a lower level of punishment than the initially expected 'expulsion' or 'recommendation to leave the party,' but considering that Lee's term lasts until June next year, it effectively means he has lost his leadership position. Combined with the six-month suspension received in July over allegations of instructing the destruction of evidence related to sexual bribery, his party membership rights will be suspended until January 2024.
Although party membership rights will be restored before the April 2024 general election, allowing him to potentially receive party nomination, considering the two severe disciplinary actions, securing a nomination will not be easy. The absence of harsher measures such as expulsion appears to reflect awareness of the possibility that courts may grant injunctions suspending the disciplinary measures' effectiveness in the future. Furthermore, expulsion requires approval by the Supreme Council, whereas suspension of party membership rights takes effect immediately without the need for such approval.
Regarding the reasons for the additional disciplinary action, Chair Lee explained, "On August 30, the People Power Party held a parliamentary meeting to decide on forming a new emergency committee and ratified amendments to the party constitution to establish conditions for this transition. However, party member Lee Jun-seok filed an injunction against the party constitution amendment and the formation of the new emergency committee, opposing the party's official stance," adding, "This violated the party constitution, which obligates members to follow decided party policies."
He also criticized the injunction against holding the National Committee meeting as "rejecting democratic decision-making processes within the party," deeming it inappropriate. Insulting and disparaging remarks against party-affiliated lawmakers also constituted grounds for disciplinary action. Chair Lee stated, "The Ethics Committee comprehensively judged that 'party member Lee Jun-seok engaged in harmful acts against the party, violated the party constitution and regulations that members must observe, thereby hindering party development and alienating public sentiment.'"
Former leader Lee was notified to appear at the Ethics Committee meeting on the day but did not attend.
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