Ruling Party Moves to Silence Internal Voices... Supreme Council Resumes After Ten Days

Kim Ki-hyun "A Politician's Words Should Be Worth Their Weight in Gold"
Indicates Possibility of Applying 'Severe Disciplinary Action' in the Future
On the 15th, Approval of By-election Election Commission Formation Plan

The People Power Party resumed its Supreme Council meeting after a ten-day suspension caused by consecutive controversies involving Supreme Council member Kim Jae-won and former Supreme Council member Tae Young-ho.

At the Supreme Council meeting held that morning in the National Assembly main building, Party Leader Kim said, “I deeply apologize as the party leader for causing concern to party members and the public due to the repeated controversies involving some of our Supreme Council members,” adding, “A politician’s words should be as precious as gold,” once again urging caution in speech.

Kim Ki-hyun, the leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 11th. (Photo by Yonhap News)

Leader Kim continued, “Members of the party leadership must be even more careful in their words and actions,” emphasizing, “Just because the Democratic Party is accused of moral insensitivity does not mean our party can be the same.”

The party’s Ethics Committee on the previous day imposed a one-year suspension of party membership on Supreme Council member Kim Jae-won and a three-month suspension on former Supreme Council member Tae Young-ho. Due to this disciplinary action, Kim’s candidacy in next year’s general election is effectively impossible.

Leader Kim hinted that such “severe disciplinary measures” could continue in the future. He explained, “We must continue to uphold strict moral standards that meet the public’s expectations,” and “People Power Party will always take public sentiment as its compass, keeping the people’s perspective in mind.”

Other leadership members also supported Leader Kim. At the meeting, Supreme Council member Kim Byung-min said, “As a competent ruling party, it is time to work vigorously, but I feel a heavy responsibility as a member of the leadership for the party’s failure to fulfill its role due to words and actions lacking the public’s expectations,” adding, “The Ethics Committee’s decision to apply strict standards even to the party leadership reaffirmed how rigorous People Power Party’s ethical and moral standards are in line with public expectations.”

Kim Byung-min further stated, “Now is the time to tighten our shoelaces and for all members to work with one heart and one mind, playing the role of one against a hundred,” and “I once again pledge before the public that we will devote ourselves to the path of a people’s livelihood party that works for the people with the mindset that even small mistakes are unacceptable.”

The Supreme Council meeting was held for the first time in ten days since the 1st of this month. People Power Party, which usually holds Supreme Council meetings twice a week, did not hold meetings on the 4th and 8th. The leadership explained that the schedule conflicted with other events, but it is interpreted as an effort to reduce the burden caused by Supreme Council member Kim Jae-won and former Supreme Council member Tae Young-ho, who have been under disciplinary procedures since the 1st. The meeting was held on the judgment that the controversies surrounding them had somewhat been resolved.

The vacancy created by former Supreme Council member Tae Young-ho’s voluntary resignation the previous day will be filled through a by-election. According to Article 27, Paragraph 3 of the party’s bylaws, “If an elected Supreme Council member’s position becomes vacant, a Supreme Council member shall be elected at the National Committee within 30 days from the date the vacancy occurs, and the term shall be the remainder of the predecessor’s term.” The party plans to approve the composition of the election management committee at the Supreme Council meeting on the 15th. Kang Min-guk, the party’s chief spokesperson, told reporters after the meeting, “The deadline for electing a Supreme Council member is by the 9th of next month,” and explained, “Once the election management committee is formed, it will decide on the overall procedures including the voting method for the by-election, the election campaign period and methods, and the election date.”

Supreme Council member Kim Jae-won has not resigned and thus retains his position, but since his party membership is suspended, he cannot attend Supreme Council meetings.

Meanwhile, there is analysis that former member Tae’s voluntary resignation influenced the disciplinary measures. When asked about Tae’s resignation at a policy forum titled “K-Wellness as a National Strategic Industry” held at the National Assembly the previous day, Leader Kim responded, “I think it was a well-considered choice for the party and considering various political circumstances.” Jeon Ju-hye, a member of the Ethics Committee vice-chair, also said on the same day, “I believe Tae’s attitude of taking political responsibility is very meaningful,” and “It will be reflected in today’s decision on the level of disciplinary action.”