Coin Controversy Kim Nam-guk, Ethics Committee to Begin 'Disciplinary Discussions' Including Possible Expulsion from Assembly?

與 "Proposal to Submit Joint Disciplinary Action by Ruling and Opposition Parties"
野 "Party Will Discuss"

The ruling and opposition parties are expected to engage in full-scale discussions regarding the disciplinary action against Kim Nam-guk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who has been embroiled in controversy over virtual asset (coin) speculation. The People Power Party has expressed its intention to demand the highest level of disciplinary action, 'expulsion from the National Assembly,' while proposing a 'joint disciplinary proposal' to the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party, which had been cautious about commenting on the disciplinary matter, stated, "We will decide after consultation according to party procedures," drawing attention to whether the disciplinary discussions will accelerate.

On the 16th, the National Assembly Ethics Special Committee held a meeting in the afternoon between Chairman Byun Jae-il and the floor leaders of both parties to discuss the normalization of the Ethics Committee and the schedule for the plenary session.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

After concluding the meeting of the floor leaders at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, Chairman Byun told reporters, "Tomorrow (the 17th), immediately after the Canadian Prime Minister's speech in the morning, we will hold a plenary session to handle the appointment of floor leaders and subcommittee chairs," adding, "It was tentatively agreed that the People Power Party will take charge of the 1st subcommittee and the Democratic Party will take charge of the 2nd subcommittee." He explained, "Tomorrow, we will proceed with the process to normalize the Ethics Committee in this manner," calling it "the core decision of today."

When asked if there was no discussion on the agenda items, he said, "It has long been a convention not to put forward agenda items that have not been agreed upon between the floor leaders of both parties," and "There has been no decision yet on whether to include any agenda items in tomorrow's meeting." However, it is known that the People Power Party proposed to expedite the submission of agenda items related to Kim Nam-guk's 'coin controversy.'

People Power Party lawmaker Lee Yang-su said, "We proposed to the Democratic Party to submit a 'joint disciplinary proposal' regarding Representative Kim," emphasizing, "If both parties submit a joint disciplinary proposal for Representative Kim today, it can be immediately processed at tomorrow's plenary session."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In response, Democratic Party lawmaker Song Ki-heon said, "I heard about the joint disciplinary proposal during the meeting just now, but since there are party procedures, we will consult and decide," adding, "Tomorrow, we will only proceed with the procedure to form the Ethics Committee, and once the floor leaders are appointed at the plenary session tomorrow, we plan to hold the next plenary session immediately after the deliberation period through consultations between the floor leaders to discuss the subsequent procedures."

Then, Representative Lee said, "Our proposal to the Democratic Party to submit a joint disciplinary proposal is not in the capacity of a floor leader but as the senior deputy floor leader of the People Power Party," urging again, "Senior Deputy Song should consult with the Democratic Party leadership in that capacity and inform us of the results."

Chairman Byun explained, "These two are nominees for floor leaders designated by their respective parties, but they are not (official) floor leaders yet," adding, "They must be appointed at tomorrow's plenary session to become floor leaders, and once appointed, they will have the official authority as representatives of both parties to negotiate agenda items."

Regarding the level of disciplinary action against Representative Kim, the People Power Party is demanding the highest level of discipline under the National Assembly Act, which is 'expulsion from the National Assembly.' According to Article 163 of the National Assembly Act, disciplinary actions against members include ▲warning in a public meeting ▲apology in a public meeting ▲suspension of attendance for up to 30 days ▲expulsion, among others.

Lee Cheol-gyu, Secretary-General of the People Power Party, criticized Kim's withdrawal from the party during the morning floor strategy meeting at the National Assembly, saying, "As time passes and public interest wanes, it seems a backdoor route for rejoining the Democratic Party will quietly open," urging, "Firmly break the history of disguised withdrawal." He also pointed out, "Kim Nam-guk's name was omitted from the Democratic Party's general assembly resolution, and no ethics committee referral was made," directly stating, "The Democratic Party should make a 'expulsion' decision according to party rules to prevent Kim from rejoining and to avoid being an accomplice."

On the same day, the Democratic Party also held a morning floor strategy meeting at the National Assembly but did not mention Kim's coin controversy. However, harsh criticism from party insiders poured out outside the National Assembly. In particular, it was pointed out that although there were calls to refer the matter to the Ethics Committee at the Democratic Party general assembly held on the 14th, this was not included in the resolution.

Democratic Party lawmaker Cho Eung-cheon said on YTN Radio in the morning, "At the general assembly the day before yesterday, we actively proposed to file a referral, and many others besides me spoke up," adding, "But when I saw the subsequent announcement, it was omitted. We need to quickly decide whether to file a referral regarding the Kim Nam-guk coin incident."

Lawmaker Kim Jong-min also criticized the omission of the ethics referral from the resolution, saying, "That part should have been included in the resolution to give the public a chance to think, 'The Democratic Party is coming to its senses, the Democratic Party is not in the state I thought it was, there might be some possibility,' but it was left out."

He emphasized on BBS Radio in the morning, "Saying 'It was not a prearranged scheme' is useless. We must take action," adding, "We need to conduct a party-level investigation and disciplinary action, and follow the National Assembly's ethics referral and disciplinary procedures. If the conclusion is 'there is nothing significant,' then no disciplinary action may be taken. This entire process must be conducted transparently and strictly."