Passed to Ethics Committee... Is Expulsion of Kim Nam-guk Possible?

The ball has now moved from the Democratic Party to the Ethics Committee after the Democratic Party filed a complaint with the Ethics Committee against Representative Kim Nam-guk, who left the Democratic Party amid suspicions involving billions worth of coins. The People Power Party is raising its voice, demanding that the Ethics Committee impose the highest level of disciplinary action, 'expulsion.' However, for expulsion to actually take place, there remains the procedural step of a plenary session vote in addition to the Ethics Committee's decision, making expulsion unlikely to be straightforward.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee Yong-woo, a member of the Democratic Party's fact-finding team, said on the 18th on KBS's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs,' "It is correct to say that the investigation has effectively been suspended. Cooperation from Representative Kim is necessary to conduct the investigation, but it is difficult to obtain his cooperation for a search and seizure."

The party-level fact-finding investigation has effectively been suspended, and the ball has moved to the Ethics Committee. When asked by the host about the level of disciplinary action the Ethics Committee might take, Representative Lee said, "I think it should be decided internally by the Ethics Committee," adding, "The fact that the transaction occurred during a meeting itself is a serious violation of a lawmaker's duty of fidelity. The members will make their own judgment."

However, the Ethics Committee already has a total of 38 disciplinary cases pending, including one related to People Power Party Representative Tae Young-ho's remarks on April 3rd, so it is highly likely that it will take considerable time before a disciplinary decision on Representative Kim is made. Even if the Ethics Committee decides on disciplinary action, it must be approved by a plenary session of the National Assembly. The ruling party insists that the advisory committee review, which can take up to 60 days, should be skipped and the disciplinary proposal should be immediately referred to the plenary session, whereas the Democratic Party insists that the advisory committee review must be conducted, showing a difference in views.

The ruling party is pressuring for the disciplinary proposal to be promptly referred to and approved by the plenary session. On the 18th, Kim Byung-min, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, said on SBS's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' "We need to see what choice the Democratic Party makes from now on," adding, "In the past, the Democratic Party took similar actions against Representative Kim Ki-hyun. Now, the case of Representative Kim Nam-guk has already reached a level of public outrage that is overflowing. The Democratic Party should show determination in this situation."

The 'past actions of the Democratic Party' mentioned by Supreme Council member Kim refer to last year when the Democratic Party directly referred a disciplinary proposal to the plenary session and approved a severe 30-day suspension of attendance against People Power Party leader Kim Ki-hyun, who was then a rank-and-file member, for occupying the chairman's office.

Since Representative Kim's case is causing public outrage, voices within the Democratic Party are also calling for swift handling. Democratic Party Representative Cho Eung-chun said on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "Let's quickly handle Representative Tae Young-ho's April 3rd remarks and this (Representative Kim Nam-guk's case). Don't drag things out over how many of the 38 cases to handle," adding, "The 60 days refers to the advisory committee being able to review within 30 days, and it is not necessary to use the full period."