The Ethics Committee investigating allegations of sexual misconduct against Seoul City Council member Jeong Jin-sul is drawing attention as to whether it will impose any form of disciplinary action.
On the 20th of last month, Choi Ho-jeong, the representative member of the People Power Party, submitted a "Request for Investigation into Sexual Misconduct Allegations against Seoul City Council Member (Jeong Jin-sul)" to the Seoul City Council Ethics Committee, signed by 74 members of the People Power Party.
The "Request for Investigation" was submitted directly to the Ethics Committee without being presented at the plenary session.
According to Article 84-2 of the Seoul Metropolitan Council Meeting Rules, if a request for investigation is submitted to the Seoul Metropolitan Ethics Committee with the approval of 10 or more members, an investigation must be conducted regarding the member's compliance with the Code of Ethics Ordinance, and the results must be reported to the plenary session.
The Code of Ethics that members must comply with is specified from Article 3 to Article 13 of the Seoul Metropolitan Council Members' Code of Ethics and Ethical Practice Standards Ordinance, which includes maintaining dignity, obligation of integrity, prohibition of abuse of authority, prohibition of acquiring money or valuables related to duties or positions, prohibition of leaking official secrets, and prohibition of accepting gratuities.
According to the Local Autonomy Act, disciplinary actions against local council members consist of four levels: ▲public warning ▲public apology ▲suspension of attendance for up to 30 days ▲expulsion.
However, at the Ethics Committee briefing held on the morning of the 30th, Council member Jeong attended and stated, "I was expelled for 'violation of dignity' only and have no relation to sexual misconduct."
Afterwards, the Ethics Committee held a full meeting but adjourned immediately.
In a report on June 12, the Ethics Committee indicated that regarding the expulsion due to the 'violation of dignity' charge, there is speculation that the disciplinary level might be a 30-day suspension of attendance, drawing attention.
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