Regarding the Postponement of Disciplinary Actions for Tae Young-ho and Kim Jae-won, No Voluntary Resignation Expected...

Divergent Interpretations Surrounding the Background of Disciplinary Postponement
"Consciousness of Strong Supporters" Also Analyzed

As the disciplinary decision regarding Kim Jae-won and Tae Young-ho, senior members of the People Power Party, was postponed to the 10th, attention is focused on the background. While there is an analysis that the party's Central Ethics Committee is trying to induce their voluntary resignation, both senior members have firmly stated that they will not resign voluntarily.

Initially, there was speculation within the ruling party that the Ethics Committee would impose a severe punishment, such as a one-year suspension of party membership. In that case, the two senior members would be unable to run in next year's general election as members of the People Power Party.

The Ethics Committee decided to determine the level of disciplinary action against the two senior members at the fourth meeting at 6 p.m. on the 10th, after further fact-checking.

On the 9th, Yoo Sang-beom, the chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in an interview with MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that "Chairman Hwang Jeong-geun has been a judge for a long time, so I think that influenced the decision," adding, "Usually, a presiding judge listens to arguments and final statements, asks for additional opinions if any, suggests further review if needed, and then makes a ruling. It seems that this style was applied."

Kim Jae-won, Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party (left), is attentively listening to the remarks of Supreme Council Member Jo Su-jin during the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 3rd of last month.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In political circles, there is an analysis that the postponement of the Ethics Committee's disciplinary action leaves room for the two senior members to resign voluntarily. Chairman Hwang hinted that the political decisions of the two senior members could influence the level of disciplinary action.

After the third Ethics Committee meeting on the 8th, Chairman Hwang responded to reporters' questions about whether voluntary resignation would be reflected in sentencing by saying, "It is difficult to answer because I cannot predict if such a thing will happen," but added, "If such a political solution emerges, the level of disciplinary action will be as you expect."

Spokesperson Yoo also agreed with this analysis. Yoo said, "Many interpret it as meaning resignation from the senior member position, and I think that aspect is considerably reflected," judging that the Ethics Committee would consider resignation from the senior member position when determining the disciplinary level.

There is also an analysis that the decision is mindful of the hardline conservative base that could react strongly to the disciplinary action against the two senior members. Since their supporters defend positions such as 'Jeon Gwang-hoon's support for right-wing unification,' 'opposition to including the spirit of May 18 in the preamble of the Constitution,' and 'Jeju 4.3 as a Kim Il-sung family conspiracy,' a hasty disciplinary action is difficult.

On the 3rd, the 'People's Group Opposing Disciplinary Action Against Senior Member Kim Jae-won,' including former Daegu City Council Vice Chairman Song Se-dal, stated, "If Senior Member Kim is disciplined, it is obvious that a relentless offensive from the opposition party and left-wing media will follow," and expressed concern that "senior members will collapse sequentially, and the Kim Gi-hyeon administration will inevitably have to move to a provisional leadership committee." This petition was signed by 21,725 people.

Both senior members have drawn a line against voluntary resignation. After the third Ethics Committee meeting on the 8th, Senior Member Kim told reporters, "I have never heard anyone talk about voluntary resignation," adding, "I have never heard such a thing directly or indirectly. This is the first time I have heard it here." On the same day, Senior Member Tae also responded, "If I had intended to resign voluntarily, I would have announced it before coming to the Ethics Committee meeting." This is interpreted as a refusal to resign from the senior member position.